DEFENCE

Air Accidents

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what rights of appeal are available to parties to the Board of Inquiry into the USAF F-15 accident in Scotland on 26 March 2001.

Don Touhig: Normally the findings of a Board of Inquiry are not open to appeal and there is no statutory appeal mechanism within the Air Force Act 1955. However a person subject to air force law who thinks himself wronged in relation to any matter relating to his Service may, by virtue of section 180 Air Force Act 1955, submit a Redress of Complaint through the chain of command to the Air Force Board acting as the Defence Council. Any airman so affected, by the findings of a Board, could lodge such a Redress but the complaint must normally have been lodged within three months of the commission of the wrong complained of. A decision of the Air Force Board is susceptible to judicial review proceedings in the High Court.
	Secondly, and extra-regulationally, if new and significant evidence became available, in relation to an accident, which might have a bearing on issues of causation, and at the sole discretion of the Convening Authority, it would be open to the Convening Authority to re-open the BOI for the Board to reconsider its findings in the light of any new and compelling evidence.

Air Accidents

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the reason was for the amount of time taken for completion of the Board of Inquiry into the USAF F-15 accident on 26 March 2001.

Don Touhig: Completion of the Board of Inquiry was delayed awaiting the outcome of Court Martial proceedings and to allow the air traffic controller to fully exercise his rights under Queens Regulations 1269 to comment on the Board report.

Air Accidents

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what date briefing of the next-of-kin of the pilots on the contents of the Board of Inquiry into the USAF F-15 accident in Scotland on 26 March 2001 commenced; and upon what date it was completed.

Don Touhig: At the express request of the next of kin, no briefing was given but copies of the complete Board of Inquiry were passed to them through their solicitor in December 2005.

Army

Michael Ancram: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many infantry (a) reserve forces, (b) tanks, (c) armoured vehicles and (d) helicopters are (i) available to and (ii) deployable by the Army; and what the equivalent numbers were in 2000.

Adam Ingram: The following tables set out both personnel and equipment available to the Army as at January 2006 and shows the figures for 2000. In principle the equipment and personnel could be deployed in the appropriate circumstances.
	
		
			 Equipment 2000 2006 
		
		
			 Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance Tracked (CVR)  (T) All variants 1,557 1,226 
			 Fighting Vehicle 430 (FV430) Series 1,721 1,492 
			 Warrior Infantry Fighting Vehicle (All variants) 794 794 
			 Challenger 2 Main Battle Tank (C2 MET) 309 385 
			 SAXON 622 622 
			 Lynx 128 104 
			 Attack Helicopter (Apache) 0 67 
			 A109 4 4 
			 Gazelle 136 72 
		
	
	
		
			 Personnel 2000 2006 
		
		
			 Regular Army Total Trained Infantry Strengths 25,140 24,350 
			 Territorial Army (TA) Strengths 45,590 37,500 
			 of which:   
			 are OTC 5,090 5,690 
			 of which:   
			 are Mobilised TA personnel 690 1,080 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Regular Army Trained Infantry Strengths include all trained officers and soldiers who are Infantry capbadged and exclude all personnel who are posted to the Infantry.
	2.TA Strengths exclude NRPS and FTRS.
	a.UKTAP (UK Trained Adult Personnel)—UKTAP includes those on Long Service List (LSL) engagement. UKTAP posts can be filled by Full Time Reserve Service, but the strength figures do not include FTRS. However, FTRS figures can be provided on request.
	b.MTM—Manning and Training Margin. The MTM provides liability cover to prevent gaps being left in units when personnel become unavailable for certain manning and training reasons (DCI(A) 54/03).
	3.Equipment includes only that equipment operated by Army personnel.

Army Training

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what army regulations determined the obligation of the army to complete basic training for servicemen referred to in his Department's answer of 7 June 2004, Official Report, column 215W.

Don Touhig: holding answer 28 March 2006
	The requirement for National Servicemen to complete basictraining was set out in the War Office booklet Regulations for National Service Men in the Army.

Capita Group

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much business his Department has placed with (a) Capita Group plc and (b) its subsidiaries in each of the last five years; what the total value is of outstanding contracts placed with Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries by his Department; for which current tenders issued by his Department (i) Capita Group plc and (ii) its subsidiaries have been invited to bid; and whether (A) Capita Group plc and (B) its subsidiaries have seconded staff (1) temporarily and (2)on a longer-term basis to (X) his Department and (Y)its agencies.

Adam Ingram: The following table provides the information requested on the value of business and outstanding contracts that the Ministry of Defence has with Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries for the last five financial years. Contract information has been taken from the centrally held Defence Bills Agency database and tender information from the MOD Defence Contract Bulletin (DCB) and The Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). This centrally held data (which captures information on proposed contracts over approximately £100,000 in value) records no current invitations to tender with Capita Group plc or its subsidiaries.
	On the question of secondments from Capita to the MOD, the MOD Interchange Programme sets out the broad policy direction for industry secondees but does not hold detailed personal information about secondees working in the MOD. Accordingly, while we can provide information concerning the reported total number of civilian staff seconded to MOD over the last three years, we are unable to identify whether the secondments are from Capita Group plc or its subsidiaries. This level of information could be obtained only at disproportionate cost from local budget holders across the MOD.
	
		
			 (a) Financial year/ (b) Contract awarded to (c) Contract value (£) (d) Outstanding contract value (£) 
		
		
			 2005–06   
			 The Capita Group Plc 18,649 18,649 
			 Capita Symonds Ltd. 460,000 460,000 
			 Capita Symonds Business Services Ltd. 10,350 10,350 
			
			 2004–05   
			 Capita Symonds Ltd. 2,000,000 0 
			 Capita Resourcing Ltd. 700,000 700,000 
			 Capita Resourcing Ltd. 12,306 0 
			 Capita Symonds Ltd. 925,196 925,196 
			 Capita Business Services Ltd. 120,000 120,000 
			
			 2003–04   
			 Capita Business Services Ltd. 65,800 0 
			 Capita Business Services Ltd. 70,011 0 
			 Symonds Group Ltd. 42,354 0 
			
			 2002–03   
			 Capita Business Services Ltd. 36,220 0 
			 Capita Health Solutions Ltd. 7,500,000 7,500,000 
			 Capita Business Services Ltd. 47,991 0 
			 Symonds Group Ltd. 30,591 0 
			 Symonds Group Ltd. 82,344 0 
			
			 2001–02   
			 Capita RAS 34,891 0 
			 Symonds Group Ltd. 159,900 0 
			 Total 12,316,603 9,734,195 
		
	
	Note:
	Column (d) does not give the value of outstanding payments due to the company; it gives, as requested, the value of contracts not yet complete. So, for example, the contract value of £7.5 million in 2002–03 has to date had payments of £3.6 million made against it.

Capita Group

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the value of contracts held by his Department with (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries was in the last three financial years;
	(2)  how many tenders (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries has submitted to his Department in each of the last three years; and how many tenders were successful;
	(3)  how many contracts his Department holds with (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries which have a potential duration of five years or more.

Adam Ingram: The following tables provide the information requested on value and duration of contracts held by Ministry of Defence with the Capita Group Plc and its subsidiaries for the last three financial years, along with information about the numbers of tenders invited and the number of tenders won. There are no current contracts that have a potential duration of five years or more.
	Contract information has been taken from the centrally held Defence Bills Agency database and tender information from the MOD Defence Contract Bulletin (DCB) and The Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU).
	Where advertising in the DCB and the OJEU is not a requirement we have no central record of tenders invited and it would amount to disproportionate cost to collate such information.
	
		
			 Financial year Contract awarded to Contract value (£) Contract end date 
		
		
			 2005–06 The Capita Group Plc 18,649 December 2010 
			  Capita Symonds Ltd 460,000 May 2008 
			  Capita Symonds Business  Services Ltd 10,350 March 2007 
			 2004–05 Capita Symonds Ltd 2,000,000 Nov 2004 
			  Capita Resourcing Ltd 700,000 April 2009 
			  Capita Resourcing Ltd 12,306 April 2005 
			  Capita Symonds Ltd 925,196 October 2007 
			  Capita Business Services Ltd 120,000 March 2006 
			 2003–04 Capita Business Service Ltd 65,800 February 2006 
			  Capita Business Service Ltd 70,011 February 2006 
			  Symonds Group Ltd 42,354 February 2006 
			 Total — 4,424,666 — 
		
	
	
		
			 Financial Year Tenders invited(1) Contracts awarded 
		
		
			 2005–06 4 3 
			 2004–05 8 5 
			 2003–04 6 3 
			 Total 18 11 
		
	
	(1)Source: DCB and OJEU

Colombia

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what evaluations of UK military aid and training to Colombia have been undertaken; and what criteria have been applied in them.

Adam Ingram: The United Kingdom's limited military training to Columbia is evaluated in a number of ways, including: on the ground monitoring for the duration of training; post-training assessment; progress analysis for long-term projects; academic evaluation of participants on UK courses; and follow-up contact with UK trained individuals. The criteria applicable to the evaluation will differ according to the type of training under consideration. We keep the level and nature of our assistance under regular review.

Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.

John Reid: The United Kingdom has ratified the first four Protocols of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons and signed Protocol V in November 2003. We are committed to the ratification of Protocol V on Explosive Remnants of War and aim to do so at the earliest opportunity.

Defence Munitions Centre (Crombie)

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his Written Statement of 28February 2006, Official Report, columns 9–10WS, on Defence Munitions Centre Crombie, what assessment he has made of the impact of downgrading Defence Munitions Centre Crombie on the potential for future defence contracts in Rosyth.

Adam Ingram: The study into the Future Role of Crombie established that the structural and business changes at Defence Munitions Centre Crombie will not impact on Rosyth's ability to compete for Defence contracts.

Defence Munitions Centre (Crombie)

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his Written Statement of 28 February 2006, Official Report, columns 9–10WS, on Defence Munitions Centre Crombie, what discussions his Department has had with (a) local councils, (b) the Scottish Executive and (c) Bear Scotland on the road freight implications of downgrading the Defence Munitions Centre Crombie.

Adam Ingram: No discussions have taken place with local councils, the Scottish Executive or Bear Scotland. Following the changes at Crombie, Defence Storage and Distribution Agency Sites in Cumbria and Dunbartonshire will take responsibility for the transport of munitions to training centres across Scotland. The study into the future role of Crombie concluded that the increase in the volume of traffic on any one route was insufficient to give concern.

Defence Munitions Centre (Crombie)

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his Written Statement of 28 February 2006, Official Report, columns 9–10WS, on Defence Munitions Centre Crombie, what assessment his Department has made of the likely change in his Department's transport costs after the proposed downgrading of the Defence Munitions Centre Crombie in Dunfermline West.

Adam Ingram: An assessment of the impact on the transportation of munitions was carried out as part of the study into the future role of Crombie. This concluded that there would be a net increase in transport costs of £24,700 per year. Overall, the restructuring of the site will, however, result in savings of approximately £18 million over the next ten years.

Departmental Finance

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's target is for paying invoices to contractors; and what percentage of bills were paid on time in the last period for which figures are available.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Ministerial Statement made by my it hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (Alan Johnson) on 8 November 2005, Official Report, column 14WS.

Departmental Staff

Jim Sheridan: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many (a) part-time and (b) full-time staff are employed by his Department in Scotland.

Don Touhig: The number of civilian part-time and full-time staff employed by the Ministry of Defence in Scotland as at 1 January 2006 is:
	
		
			  Headcount 
		
		
			 Full time 6,660 
			 Part time 440 
			 Total 7,100 
		
	
	1.Civilian totals include Non Industrial, Industrial, and Trading Fund personnel, but excludes Royal Fleet Auxiliary Personnel.
	2.Civilian totals are rounded to the nearest 10.
	Service data are published quarterly in Tri-Service Publication 10; the most recent publication shows the numbers of Service personnel at 1 January 2006. Copies of TSP 10 are available in the Library of the House and also on www.dasa.mod.uk.

Far East Prisoners of War

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defencehow many claims for the far east prisoner of war ex-gratia payment have been rejected on the grounds that the claimant was not interned in a qualifying camp.

Don Touhig: holding answer 30 March 2006
	62claims for payment under the Civilian Internee partof the scheme have been rejected on the basis that the claimant had not provided evidence to confirm internment. This includes both those who could not provide the evidence required to demonstrate that they had been among those held in an internment camp, and those who claimed to be held in locations that did not qualify as internment.

Hercules Aircraft

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1) what plans he has to fit the new K model Hercules aircraft with (a) the latest generation defensive aids suite and (b) foam in the wing tanks; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  which J model Hercules aircraft have been fitted with (a) the latest generation defensive aids suite and (b) foam in the wing tanks; and what plans he has to equip the remaining aircraft.

Adam Ingram: Both C-130K and C-130J aircraft are fitted with varying combinations of the following defensive aids:
	Countermeasures Dispensing System
	Directional Infra Red Counter Measures
	Flight Deck Armour
	Lamp Infra Red Counter Measure
	Missile Approach Warning Receiver
	Radar Warning Receiver
	We have decided, subject to final contract negotiations, to fit some of our C-130s with Explosion Suppressant Foam, and expect the first aircraft fitted to be ready for operational tasking within the next few months.
	I am withholding information on the specific defensive aids and survivability measures employed on each C-130K and C-130J airframe because it would risk prejudicing the security of our armed forces.

Hercules Aircraft

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on the effectiveness of (i) the latest generation defensive aids suite and (ii) foam in the wing tanks of Hercules aircraft; and what conclusions he has drawn.

Adam Ingram: The Air Warfare Centre continually assesses the effectiveness of current defensive aid suites against current and emerging threats. Specific research looking at the threats to our aircraft, options for protection and air platform survivability measures, is also under way and will, among other issues, review the effectiveness of foam in aircraft fuel tanks. The details of these programmes cannot be released as this would be likely to prejudice the capability, effectiveness and security of our armed forces.

Hercules Aircraft

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when each of the Mk 3 Hercules was fitted with associated defensive aids systems.

Adam Ingram: All Hercules C-130K Mk 3 aircraft are equipped with infra-red defensive counter-measures and have been since the early 1990s. In 2003 a number of Hercules C-130K Mk 3 aircraft were fitted with a range of additional defensive aid systems and flight deck armour. The actual number of aircraft so equipped is being withheld as information on the precise combination of defensive aids employed on individual airframes could prejudice the security of the UK armed forces.

HMS Kent

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the co-ordinates were of the location of HMS Kent on 26 January; whether there were any other vessels operating in this area at the same time; and whether anti-submarine sonar was being used.

Adam Ingram: The co-ordinates of HMS Kent on 26 January 2006 were:
	At 0400 hours (Local)—located 35 degrees, 49.7 minutes North by 4 degrees, 32.7 minutes West;
	At 0800 hours (Local)—located 35 degrees, 49.0 minutes North by 4 degrees, 37.0 minutes West; and
	At 1700 hours (Local)—located alongside at Gibraltar.
	There were two other Royal Navy vessels in this area at the same time. HMS Scott, a survey ship was alongside in Gibraltar and HMS Roebuck, another survey ship, arrived in Gibraltar. No anti-submarine sonar was being used by any of the vessels.

Human Rights Act

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether the Human Rights Act 1988 applies at UK bases used by United States forces, including bases in UK Overseas Territories.

Adam Ingram: The Human Rights Act 1998 does apply at bases made available to the United States Visiting Force (USVF) in the UK. However, whether the Act applies in any specific case will depend on whether the acts of a public authority are being challenged. The USVF is not a public authority under the Act.
	The Human Rights Act does not apply to UK overseas territories. The European Convention on Human Rights applies to UK overseas territories if Her Majesty's Government notifies the Secretary General of the European Council. Remedies for any breach of the Convention would be provided under local law or before the European Court of Human Rights.

Iraq

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many munitions containing depleted uranium were deployed by UK forces in Iraq in (a) 2002, (b) 2003 and (c) 2004.

Adam Ingram: Depleted uranium is not widely used in munitions employed by United Kingdom Land Forces. Only the kinetic armour piercing ammunition used by our Challenger 2 Main Battle Tanks is DU-based. For reasons of operational security, we do not publicise the precise amounts deployed in preparation for operations, but they comprise a very small percentage of the overall ammunition deployed to Iraq. For information on the use of weapons containing depleted uranium used in Operation Telic I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 24 May 2004, Official Report, column 1354W to the former Member for Blaenau Gwent (Llewellyn Smith).

Iraq

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his reply of 13 March 2006, Official Report column 1947W, tabled by the hon. Member for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr, whether United States armed forces personnel have shared with him evidence of the use of Beretta semi-automatic pistols by the Iraqi insurgency.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 17 March 2006
	British armed forces personnel have not received any evidence from US armed forces personnel of Iraqi insurgents using the Beretta semi-automatic pistol in Iraq.

Iraq

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether co-operation has been restored between British forces in Multi-National Sector (South-East) and council officials in Basra and Maysan provinces in Iraq.

John Reid: British officials continue to discuss re-engagement with Basrah and Maysan provincial council in an attempt to restore normal working relations as soon as possible. Co-operation between Maysan Provincial Council and British forces was restored soon after publication of the News of the World story but has since been unofficially suspended again. In the meantime, Multi National Forces continue to co-operate at all levels with the local Iraqi authorities including the Iraqi police and army in order to continue their valuable work on security sector reform.

Iraq

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many security internees are being held by (a) Multi-National Forces and (b) British forces in Iraq.

John Reid: As of the 27 March 2006 there were 14,580 security internees in Iraq in Multi-National Force custody and 51 security internees in UK custody.

Iraq

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what estimate he has made of the number of al-Qaeda operatives in Iraq.

John Reid: It is not possible to estimate with any accuracy the number of al-Qaeda operatives in Iraq.

Iraqi Combat Battalions

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence by what date he expects all Iraqi combat battalions to be capable of carrying out independent operations.

Adam Ingram: The Iraqi security forces are becoming increasingly capable. There are currently 112 combat battalions in the Iraqi Army and 60 of these are capable of taking the lead in counterinsurgency operations, with coalition forces only providing support as necessary. By the end of 2006, we expect most of the 10 divisions of the Iraqi Army to be taking the lead in areas of their responsibility, albeit with coalition support such as planning and logistics. Work to develop these capabilities will continue, so that coalition support will diminish over time, and Iraqi forces become capable of operating fully independently.

MAN ERF

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assurances were given to the MAN ERF workforce at Middlewich in relation to the operation of his Department's contract with MAN and MAN ERF UK.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 27 March 2006
	As a result of the Ministry of Defence placing a contract with MAN ERF UK Ltd, the company estimated that approximately 400 jobs would be created or sustained in the United Kingdom. The specific geographical location of these posts is however a matter for the company.

Missile Defence

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the last occasion was on which ministers in his Department discussed missile defence with counterparts in other countries; what aspects were discussed; and if he will make a statement.

John Reid: Defence Ministers have had no recent bilateral discussions on missile defence. Government Ministers attended the NATO Heads of State and Government Summit in June 2004 which directed that work on theatre ballistic missile defence should be taken forward by NATO. Subsequent meetings of NATO Defence Ministers have noted progress reports on theatre and territorial missile defence without substantive discussion.

Nuclear Deterrent

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what publication he plans to produce to inform the national debate he initiated in 2005 on the potential replacement of the UK's nuclear deterrent.

John Reid: The Ministry of Defence provided an initial memorandum to the House of Commons Defence Committee, which was published on 20 January 2006. While work to prepare for decisions on the future of the United Kingdom's nuclear deterrent has now started, it is still at an early stage and Ministers have not yet begun to consider the position in any detail. It is therefore premature to speculate on the nature of any future publications in this area.

Pakistan

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on co-operation with Pakistan on defence issues.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 30 March 2006
	Pakistan is critical to achieving many of HMG's international objectives, including counter-terrorism, counter-narcotics, counter-proliferation, regional stability, managed migration, human rights and engagement with the Islamic world. Allied to this is the United Kingdom's commitment to the international security assistance force in Afghanistan, which is dependent on Pakistani support for the provision of a logistical line of communication from Karachi, as well as permission for RAF overflights.
	Traditionally, the UK has enjoyed a warm defence relationship with Pakistan and this has deepened in recent years. In 2005–06 we provided in the region of £750,000 of defence assistance by way of training and liaison opportunities as part of the Defence Relations Activity Programme. Much of this activity, which includes meetings in Pakistan between senior Ministry of Defence and Pakistani officials, is facilitated by the defence adviser in our high commission in Islamabad.
	Finally, the Ministry of Defence provided substantial assistance to the Government of Pakistan following the disastrous earthquake in Northern Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir in October 2005. Included in a package of assistance was three Chinook heavy lift helicopters deployed for one month to deliver much needed humanitarian aid to remote areas, and a Royal Marines commando engineer squadron deployed from November 2005 to February 2006 to build shelters for those whose homes had been destroyed. Both missions received much praise and recognition from the Pakistani Government and those affected by the earthquake.

Pensions

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence why his Department discounts flying pay for flight lieutenants as pensionable pay in the final reckoning of service pension paid to qualified pilots.

Don Touhig: Pension benefits paid under the Armed Forces Pension Schemes, like other public sector pension schemes, are calculated on basic pay only. Any additions, such as specialist pay or allowances are not included because these are earned intermittently, rather than all the way through an individual's career.

Pensions

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what criteria were used in deciding not to make a dedicated pension scheme available to members of the reserve forces.
	(2)  if he will consider allowing members of the reserve forces to have the option of contributing their annualbounty payment into a reserve forces pension scheme.

Don Touhig: Members of the reserve forces who serveon a full time reserve service commitment or an additional duties commitment are pensioned in accordance with administrative arrangements made under the Armed Forces Pension Scheme 75 or the Reserve Forces Pension Scheme. Aside from mobilised service, volunteer reserve service does not attract entitlement to an armed forces pension because the terms and conditions of service are entirely different from those of the regulars. It attracts payment of an annual bounty in recognition of the different nature of the commitment. Volunteer reserves have an option to make pension savings through the Armed Forces Stakeholder pension scheme.

Royal Ordnance Establishments (Chemical Licences)

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the existing chemical licences at (a) Royal Ordnance Chorley and (b) Royal Ordnance Bridgewater will expire.

John Reid: BAE Systems Land Systems has had frequent dialogue with the Environment Agency regarding its chemical licenses. There is an agreed process to revoke the chemical licenses for sites and this will be undertaken in line with the company's decommissioning programmes for the Chorley and Bridgwater sites.

Sonar (Marine Mammals)

Robert Goodwill: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect of the use of low frequency active sonar by naval and survey ships on marine mammals.

Adam Ingram: The low frequency active sonar operated by the Royal Navy is known as Sonar 2087. The Ministry of Defence has conducted environmental impact assessments of marine habitats in which Sonar 2087 might operate. These assessments indicated that the use of Sonar 2087, as with underwater sound generally, has the potential to impact on the marine environment. A range of rigorous mitigation measures have been developed to minimise this and they are integral to Royal Navy operating procedures. There have been no recorded incidents of harm being caused to marine life by Sonar 2087. We continue to support a sustained programme of research into the effects of active sonar.
	Copies of the environmental analysis reports relating to the Sonar 2087 sea trials conducted in 2002 and 2004 have been released to interested parties and placed in the Library of the House.

Territorial Army

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  if he will break down by rank the 900 personnel reduction in Territorial Army infantry;
	(2)  what the new establishment figure is for the Territorial Royal Army Medical Services.

Don Touhig: holding answers 30 March 2006
	The new rank structure of the TA infantry has yet to be agreed. I will write to the hon. Member when this information is available.
	The new establishment figure for the Territorial Army Medical Services will be 5,268. This excludes the Officer Training Corps and Full Time Regular Service, Non Regular Permanent Staff and Regular Army personnel.

Tours of Duty

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many tours each regiment of the Royal Armoured Corps has undertaken in the last five years; what the (a) location and (b) length was of each; and what the length of time was between each deployment.

Adam Ingram: The following table contains information on the tour intervals between unaccompanied regimental or formed sub-unit level operational deployments by the Royal Armoured Corps (including the Household Cavalry Regiment) in the past five years.
	
		The deployments and the length of time (intervals between each deployment for each royal armoured corps regiment in the past five years—1 March to 28 February 20 06
		
			 Regiment Deployment Interval Deployment Interval Deployment Interval Deployment Interval 
		
		
			 The Household Cavalry Regiment Bosnia (sub-unit) October 2001 to September 2002 3 months Iraq (sub-unit) February to July 2003 2.5 months Bosnia (sub-unit) October 2003 to March 2004 0.5 month Iraq (Regt minus) April to October 2004 — 
			 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards Bosnia (sub-unit) October 2000 to September 2001 16 months Iraq February to June 2003 1 6 months Iraq November 2004 to April 2005 — — — 
			 The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards (Carabiniers and Greys) Iraq February to June 2003 26 months Iraq November 2005 to date — — — — — 
			 The Royal Dragoon Guards Iraq November 2004 to April 2005 — — — — — — — 
			 The Queen's Royal Hussars (The Queen's Own and Royal Irish) Kosovo (Regiment minus) November 2001 to April 2002 n/a Kosovo (sub-unit) May to October 2002 12 months Iraq November 2003—April 2004 — — — 
			 9th/12th Royal Lancers (The Prince of Wales' s) Kosovo (sub-unit) March to June 2001 21 months Bosnia (sub-unit) April to October 2003 1 months Iraq (Regt minus) November 2003 to April 2004 1 8 months Iraq November 2005 to date  
			 The King's Royal Hussars Northern Ireland December 2002 to July 2003 21 months Iraq May to October 2005 — — — — — 
			 The Light Dragoons Bosnia (sub-unit) October 2002 to March 2003 4 months Iraq August to October 2003 1 8 months Iraq May to October 2005 — — — 
			 The Queen's Royal Lancers Bosnia (sub-unit) May to October 2001 15 months Kosovo May to October 2002 12 months Iraq May -October 2004 — — — 
			 2nd Royal Tank Regiment Kosovo March to June 2001 19 months Iraq (sub unit only from June to November) February to November 2003 1 3 months Kosovo (sub-unit) May to November 2005 — — —

CABINET OFFICE

Cabinet Office Strategy Board

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will list the membership of the Cabinet Office Strategy Board; and what its current work programme is.

Jim Murphy: The Cabinet Office Strategy Board was replaced by a new Cabinet Office board in November 2005. These changes were made to provide better governance and leadership in order to help create a more effective Department. The current board membership is:
	Sir Gus O'Donnell (Chair)—Head of the Cabinet Office, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Home Civil Service
	Sir Richard Mottram—Security and Intelligence Co-ordinator
	Howell James—Permanent Secretary, Government Communications
	Ian Watmore—Permanent Secretary and Head, Prime Minister's Delivery Unit
	Kim Darroch—Head, European Secretariat
	William Sargent—Executive Chair, Better Regulation Executive
	Anne-Marie Lawlor (to be replaced by Gill Rider on her arrival in the Department)—Corporate Development Group
	Paul Britton—Head, Economic and Domestic Secretariat
	Prime Minister's principal private secretary
	Liz Woodeson—Director of Change and Operations
	Jerry Page—Finance Director
	The Chief Policy Adviser to the Prime Minister (David Bennett) and the Cabinet Office Minister's private secretary also attend. David Bennett does not attend for staffing discussions.
	Karen Jordan, chair of the Department's Audit and Risk Committee is a non-executive member. The board is currently considering what further non-executive membership is needed.
	The board's role is to steer and manage the business of the Department in accordance with ministerial priorities. It routinely considers HR, finance issues. Its current and future work programme includes consideration of business continuity planning, risk, leadership within the Cabinet office, the future direction of the Cabinet Office, performance management. Its responsibilities include:
	To recommend a business plan and resource allocation, and strategy for achieving the Department's business objectives to Ministers;
	Monitor and improve the Department's performance against these;
	Ensure that risks are identified and effectively managed;
	Oversee the Better Cabinet Office Programme;
	Ensure that standards and values within the Cabinet Office support the aims of the Department, and good government more generally;
	Safeguard and enhance the Department's standards and values.
	The Board will continue to keep under review its work programme and membership to ensure that it is fully effective.

Capita Group

Chris Grayling: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much business his Department has placed with (a) Capita Group plc and (b) its subsidiaries in each of the last five years; what the total value is of outstanding contracts placed with Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries by his Department; for which current tenders issued by his Department (i)Capita Group plc and (ii) its subsidiaries have been invited to bid; and whether (A) Capita Group plc and (B) its subsidiaries have seconded staff (1) temporarily and (2) on a longer-term basis to (X) his Department and (Y) its agencies.

Jim Murphy: This information requested for the Cabinet Office is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Centre of Government Guide

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster whether he plans to issue an updated version of the Guide to the Centre of Government".

Jim Murphy: The Government do not plan to issue another version of the guide. The information contained in the Guide to the Centre of Government" has been incorporated into the central departments' public websites which can be accessed via www.pm.gov.uk. www.treasury.gov.uk and www.cabinetoffice.gov.uk. The information on the websites is regularly updated.

Hannington Radio Station

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster pursuant to the answer of 17 March 2006, Official Report, column 2550W, on Hannington radio station, if he will list the (a) public and (b) private sector companies and organisations engaged in broadcasting and associated activities.

Jim Murphy: Public and private sector companies and organisations engaged in broadcasting and associated activities at Hannington radio station are as follows.
	BBC
	National Grid Wireless
	Arqiva
	Hutchinson 3G
	T-Mobile
	O 2
	Orange
	Vodaphone
	Airwave

Parliamentary Questions

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster when he will answer question 43872 tabled by the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South on 16 January on local authority pandemic plans.

Jim Murphy: I have responded to question 43872 today. I have written to the hon. Member today to apologise for the delay in responding to his question.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Bail

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what percentage of (a) male and (b) female defendants charged with offences triable either way did not receive police bail but subsequently received court bail in the latest year for which figures are available;
	(2)  what percentage of (a) male and (b) female defendants charged with summary only matters did not receive police bail but subsequently received court bail in the latest year for which figures are available.

Bridget Prentice: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested is currently held in over 50,000 court records and cannot be obtained without incurring disproportionate cost.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Carbon Emissions

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of UK carbon emissions were attributable to (a) electricity generation, (b) aviation and (c) road transport in each year since 1990.

Elliot Morley: I have been asked to reply.
	UK Carbon dioxide emissions attributable to electricity generation, aviation and road transport are shown in the table. A separate column has been provided for international aviation because, under the rules agreed for reporting to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, emissions from international aviation are recorded as memorandum items in the national greenhouse gas inventories, but are not added in to national totals.
	Figures are consistent with the UK Greenhouse gas inventory 1990–2004, released on the Defra website in January and to be published in April.
	
		CO 2  emissions as a percentage of UK total -- Percentage
		
			  Energy industries Domestic aviation International aviation Road transport 
		
		
			 1990 34 0.2 2.6 19 
			 1991 34 0.2 2.6 18 
			 1992 33 0.2 2.9 19 
			 1993 30 0.2 3.2 20 
			 1994 30 0.2 3.4 20 
			 1995 30 0.2 3.7 20 
			 1996 29 0.3 3.7 20 
			 1997 27 0.3 4.1 21 
			 1998 28 0.3 4.6 21 
			 1999 27 0.3 5.1 22 
			 2000 28 0.4 5.5 21 
			 2001 30 0.4 5.3 21 
			 2002 30 0.4 5.3 22 
			 2003 31 0.4 5.3 21 
			 2004 31 0.4 5.9 21

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agricultural Workers

Alan Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether foreign workers employed in the agricultural sector are entitled to NHS treatment; and to what statutory employment rights such workers are entitled.

Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply.
	Entitlement to free National Health Service hospital treatment is based on whether someone is ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom. Anyone who is not ordinarily resident is subject to the National Health Service (Charges to Overseas Visitors) Regulations, 1989, as amended and will be charged for any treatment they receive unless considered exempt by the hospital providing the treatment under one of several exemption categories in the regulations.
	One exemption category is for anyone who, at the time of treatment, is working lawfully in the UK for an employer who is based in the UK or is registered in the UK as a branch of an overseas employer, or anyone who is self employed.
	Legal migrant workers in the UK have the same employment rights and recourses as their indigenous equivalents.

Agricultural Workers

Alan Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her most recent estimate is of the number of people in illegal employment in the agricultural industries.

Tony McNulty: I have been asked to reply.
	No estimate has been produced by Home Office. No government has ever been able to produce an accurate figure for the number of people who are working in the country illegally. By its very nature it is impossible to quantify accurately, and that remains the case.

Bees

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent progress has been made in seeking to exempt bee medicines from the prescription only medicine requirement of Council Directive 2001/82/EC.

Ben Bradshaw: Officials at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) are well aware of the concerns expressed by beekeepers and horticulturists. The VMD recently invited the Chairman of the British Beekeepers Association to speak to a meeting of regulatory scientists and Commission officials organised as part of the UK Presidency to ensure they were aware of the UK's concerns.
	The European Commission consulted on a proposed Commission Decision on the prescription only medicine (POM) exemption criteria from 9 February until 17 March 2006. The draft is available on the Commission website at http://pharmacos.eudra.org/F2/pharmacos/new.htm. The proposal exempts products that have a recognised level of safety including those containing substances that have been entered into Annex II of Council Regulation EEC/2377/90. Although the proposal does not mention any species specifically, most medicines authorised to treat bees in the UK would be included under them and therefore be exempt from the POM requirements. The proposal and the comments received were discussed during a meeting of the Commission's Veterinary Pharmaceutical Committee on 27 March. However, the Commission has not given any indication of how they will revise their proposal.
	UK officials at the meeting pressed the Commission to bring forward the Decision in good time before the 31 December deadline.
	Officials at the VMD have also continued discussions with the beekeepers on alternative arrangements should the U K not succeed in being able to exempt all bee medicines under the criteria. New distribution categories for the UK have been introduced that include tiered categories of prescription only medicines. The new distribution categories are contained in the Veterinary Medicines Regulations 2005. The Regulations comply with the Directive's provisions while allowing veterinary medicines for food-producing animals that were previously available in the UK without prescription to be supplied by pharmacists or suitably qualified persons working in pet shops, agricultural merchants or saddlers without the need to involve a veterinary surgeon.

Bovine TB

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government are taking to prevent the spread of bovine tuberculosis among cattle; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Under EU legislation, routine TB testing is carried out annually or biennially in parishes with a historically higher number of bovine TB incidents in cattle. This is reduced to testing every four years in parishes with historically low or no TB incidents. TB reactors are removed for slaughter and the owner is compensated using a new table-based valuation system, which was introduced on 1 February. The rest of the herd are placed under movement restrictions.
	In addition, we introduced compulsory pre-movement testing of cattle in England on 27 March, which will help to reduce the risk of spreading TB through cattle movements. The legislation applies to cattle over 15 months of age moving from one and two-year tested herds. It will be extended to movements of cattle over 42-days-old on 1 March 2007.
	Improved diagnosis of TB in cattle is a major objective of Defra's wide-ranging research programme. The laboratory-based gamma-interferon test is not sufficiently specific to replace the TB test but use of the two tests in parallel has the potential to significantly increase the detection of infected cattle in herds where TB has been confirmed. Preparations are being made for wider use of the gamma interferon test in prescribed circumstances.
	In this country, the main wildlife reservoir of bovine TB is in badgers. A public consultation on both the principle and method of a badger culling policy in areas of high TB incidence in cattle was launched on 15 December 2005. This has now closed and we received more than 35,000 responses. These responses will be analysed carefully over the coming weeks to inform decisions alongside other available evidence.

Bovine TB

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research the Government have conducted into links between badgers and the spread of tuberculosis to cattle; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: DEFRA has commissioned several research projects to explore these links. Details are available on the DEFRA website at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/tb/research/projects.htm
	The evidence for a link between bovine TB in badgers and bovine TB in cattle was reviewed in 1997 by the Independent Scientific Review Group, led by Professor John Krebs. The Group concluded that
	the sum of evidence strongly supports the view that, in Britain, badgers were a significant source of infection in cattle".
	The Executive Summary of the Group's findings and recommendations is available on the DEFRA website at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/tb/publications/krebs.htm

Bovine TB

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will commission research into the effect of boosting the selenium and iodine intake of badgers on their resistance to tuberculosis.

Ben Bradshaw: There is no persuasive scientific evidence which either confirms or refutes the theory that some animals with mineral deficient diets might have increased susceptibility to tuberculosis, particularly those in areas where soils are deficient in trace elements such as selenium. Defra has not dismissed the possibility of a nutritional link but feels that, given the resources available for research, the link is not of sufficient priority for research funding.

Cement Kilns

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions (a) she and (b) her Department has held with the (i)energy and (ii) cement industries on the use of waste as a power source for cement kilns; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 20 March 2006
	The Government recognises the value of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) as a positive energy source. Therefore the Governments Waste Implementation Programme (WIP") commissioned RPS consultants in September 2005 to approach industrial intensive energy users to establish interest in using solid recovered fuel (SRF") as an alternative energy source to compete with current fuels. A workshop was held in London on 17 January 2006 attended by ten industrial companies and a potential SRF supplier at which the benefits and relative economics of this approach were presented and discussed.
	Phase 2 work is about to be commissioned involving the preparation of a more detailed generic" proposal describing possible development and financing structures along with refined economics.
	With regard to (b) (ii), WIP is aware of discussions between developers of mechanical and biological treatment (MBT") plant and cement companies with the aim of securing outlets for SRF. This outlet route is not well developed and contracts are usually of short duration for limited tonnages. For this reason, WIP is endeavouring to stimulate alternative RDF outlets with intensive energy users or in purpose built energy recovery facilities.

Chewing Gum

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to extend the chewing gum pilot schemes to the rest of England and Wales; and what estimate she has made of the costs of so doing.

Ben Bradshaw: The Chewing Gum Action group announced on 2 March 2006 that it would be working with 15 local authorities across England to launch a series of chewing gum litter campaigns between May and September this year which would build on the success of the pilot campaigns in 2005. The action group is funding the poster advertising for these campaigns using the 'Thanks for binning your gum' message that was piloted in Preston, Manchester and Maidstone. Theaction group has invested £600,000 in the 2006 campaigns.
	Any decision on the scope, focus and funding of future campaigns will be made jointly by the Chewing Gum Action Group later this year, and will be informed by analysis of the 15 campaigns.

Chewing Gum

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what private sector funding her Department has received towards the cleaning up of chewing gum in public streets and buildings.

Ben Bradshaw: Local authorities receive Government funding for street cleansing services through the yearly settlement in the Environment, Planning and Cultural Services (EPCS) block.
	The chewing gum industry has contributed funding for influencing behavioural change through the Government's Chewing Gum Action Group since its inception in 2003.

Chewing Gum

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from Wrigley UK Ltd. regarding Government-sponsored chewing gum cleaning campaigns.

Ben Bradshaw: Wrigley are a member of the Chewing Gum Action Group, which Defra chair and have been heavily involved in the formulation and funding of the Group's work since its inception in 2003.

Chewing Gum

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of how much local government spent on cleaning up chewing gum (a) in 2005 and (b) in the last 10 years.

Ben Bradshaw: These figures are not available. However, a recent survey by ENCAMS—the environmental charity which runs the Keep Britain Tidy Campaign—received 66 responses from local authorities on gum removal. The spending by these authorities on removing gum ranged from £0 to £200,000 per annum, with an average per authority of £12,792.

Circus Animals

Shona McIsaac: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects to start the consultation into prohibiting the use of certain animal species in travelling circuses; whether the consultation will be open for public comment; if she will list the organisations she plans to consult; and which species she plans to include in proposals for the consultation.

Ben Bradshaw: Discussions with industry, welfare organisations and other Government departments on the content of draft regulations will be given high priority once the Animal Welfare Bill becomes law. All non-domesticated species will be considered.
	Consideration is still being given to the organisations which will be invited to participate in initial discussions. Proposals will be subject to public consultation before being laid before Parliament.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will reply to the letter to her dated 23 January from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mr. G. Sherriff.

Ben Bradshaw: I apologise for the delay. A reply will be sent to my right hon. Friend within the next 10 working days.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will reply to the letter dated 31 January from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mr. S. Serayet.

Ben Bradshaw: I apologise to my right hon. Friend for the delay in replying. A reply will be sent within the next 10 working days.

Correspondence

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she will reply to the letter dated 31 January from the hon. Member for Banff and Buchan regarding a constituent Mr. K. C. Sandison of Aberchirder.

Ben Bradshaw: I apologise for the delay. A reply was sent on 22 March 2006.

Demography

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the rat population in (a) Southend, (b) Essex and (c) England in each of the last 15 years for which information is available;
	(2)  what steps her Department (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to reduce the rodent population in (i) Southend, (ii) Essex, (iii) Greater London and (iv)England.

Ben Bradshaw: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 17 March 2006, Official Report, column 2508W.
	The problem of rat infestation and general pest control is left to the discretion of individual borough councils.
	Advisory leaflets are available on the Defra website, which deal with a range of wildlife problems and ways to resolve them, including the control of rats. These can be found at:
	http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/vertebrates/leaflets.htm.
	The Environmental Health Group at Southend-on-Sea borough council provides a free service for the treatment of rats. An appointment for a Pest Control Officer to visit can be made by ringing (01702) 215811.

Departmental Staff

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what proportion of (a) staff and (b) new staff employed in (i) her Department and (ii) each of the agencies for which she has responsibility were registered as disabled in each of the last three years for which data are available.

Jim Knight: The Cabinet Office collects and publishes annually statistical information on the civil service by Department. These include data on the number of staff in Departments who have declared a disability.
	Declaration of a disability is voluntary.
	The latest available information at April 2004 is available in the Library and on the civil service website and the following addresses:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/statistics/publications/xls/disability_apr04_4nov04.xls
	for data relating to 1 April 2004, and
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/statistics/archive/index.asp
	for previous reporting periods.

Domestic Rubbish

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her Department's policy is on citizens being fined for placing small quantities of domestic rubbish in municipal rubbish bins; and what the Government's definition is of domestic rubbish.

Ben Bradshaw: There is a range of powers available to local authorities to ensure waste is dealt with legitimately and not illegally dumped. Government are encouraging authorities to make best use of the 'toolkit' of powers available to them but local authority enforcement policies will also be based on local priorities.
	Sections 46 and 47 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 enable local authorities to serve notices on occupiers of domestic premises and business prescribing the kind and number of waste receptacles where the waste needs to be placed. The notice can specify, for example, the size of the receptacles or where the receptacles must be placed to facilitate waste collection. The notice could also be used to prescribe that household waste be placed in receptacles provided by the council.
	People who fail to comply with a notice issued under sections 46 and 47 can be prosecuted through the courts, facing a maximum fine of £1,000. From 6 April 2006 local authorities will be able to issue £100 fixed penalty notices to householders and businesses that do not comply with such a notice.
	There is no legal definition of 'domestic rubbish' but section 75 of the 1990 Act sets out the meaning of controlled waste and defines household waste" as waste from—a domestic property; a caravan, a residential home; premises forming part of a university or school; and premises forming part of a hospital or nursing home etc.

Electric Shock Collars

Shona McIsaac: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what research her Department has undertaken into the use of electric shock collars on animals in the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: While we have not funded any research in this area to date, it remains a priority for the future.
	In August 2005 we published an open call for research proposals to examine the effects of electronic and non-electronic training aids on the welfare of dogs, including the use of static pulse training systems and citronella sprays. We received one proposal, but this was rejected after formal peer review.
	The Department is currently re-examining the position, and it is possible that new evidence in this area may soon be available to inform our thinking. We will then decide whether to re-advertise our research call through a different process, or if the specification should be redesigned. Any research we do commission will be detailed on the Defra website.

Energy Efficiency

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions she has had with (a) other Government departments and (b) other public authorities on reducing the heating of publicly-owned buildings to save energy.

Elliot Morley: The Cabinet Sub-Committee of Ministers responsible for sustainable development on the Government Estate has had recent discussions on actions that can be taken, within their own Departments and wider estates, on reducing demand and improving energy efficiency including the management of building controls for heating and ventilation.

Energy Efficiency

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to increase energy efficiency within her Department; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: Energy consumption at all Defra and Executive agency sites is continually monitored against benchmarks to drive down consumption and facilitate appropriate reaction to increases. Defra has signed an agreement with the Carbon Trust to run a Carbon Management Programme, which will identify the scope for significant savings in energy consumption and related carbon emissions. Funding has been made available for capital investments that will improve energy efficiency.
	An energy efficiency campaign—the Big Switch—is running throughout the department and its Executive Agencies during January, February and March, to focus attention on energy saving actions by building managers and by staff. This work on awareness raising will be reinforced as part of the Carbon Management Programme.
	Within Defra we are also increasingly managing these issues a local level through site specific Environmental Management Systems, accredited to ISO 14001.
	The Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate is the main vehicle for systematically assessing, reporting and improving Government performance in managing its own land and buildings sustainably. It sets cross-Government targets in all key operational areas including energy. The Framework is currently under review and challenging energy targets are being developed.

Farm Subsidies

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the written statement of 16 March 2006, Official Report, columns 104–05WS, on the single payment scheme, whether the outgoing chief executive of the Rural Payments Agency will receive a payment on leaving his post.

Jim Knight: holding answer 30 March 2006
	The immediate priority for the Department was to change and strengthen the leadership team in the RPA. Therefore for the foreseeable future the outgoing chief executive of the RPA is taking a period of paid leave of absence. Discussions regarding his future are yet to take place.

Fixed Penalty Notices

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many unpaid fixed penalty notices for environmental offences there were in each Government office region in each year for which figures are available.

Ben Bradshaw: There were no unpaid fixed penalties for noise offences in those years for which figures are available. The figures are as follows.
	
		Litter
		
			 Region 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 East Midlands 0 0 0 0 2 4 14 363 
			 East of England 0 7 11 25 7 85 132 365 
			 London 75 2,168 1,324 855 4,333 6,275 772 3,587 
			 North East 0 1 24 36 110 163 670 481 
			 North West 0 0 4 8 19 198 324 599 
			 South East 0 2 3 23 61 95 143 233 
			 South West 0 6 1 2 0 4 2 198 
			 West Midlands 0 0 0 44 262 679 749 254 
			 Yorkshire and the Humberside 0 5 25 5 28 203 346 654 
		
	
	
		Dog fouling
		
			 Region 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 East Midlands 0 3 5 16 13 11 19 10 
			 East of England 0 20 15 11 9 30 18 19 
			 London 0 2 13 11 34 7 3 31 
			 North East 1 16 16 26 18 22 98 108 
			 North West 0 82 85 36 99 54 337 231 
			 South East 4 32 28 23 38 61 40 27 
			 South West 6 44 60 58 41 65 48 17 
			 West Midlands 2 1 2 7 9 30 25 15 
			 Yorkshire and the Humberside 2 14 36 22 33 56 91 85 
		
	
	
		Graffiti
		
			 Region 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 East Midlands n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 
			 East of England n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 
			 London n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 
			 North East n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 1 
			 North West n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 
			 South East n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 
			 South West n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 
			 West Midlands n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 10 
			 Yorkshire and the Humberside n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 
		
	
	n/a=Not applicable.
	
		Fly-posting
		
			 Region 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 East Midlands n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 
			 East of England n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 5 
			 London n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 
			 North East n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 2 
			 North West n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 
			 South East n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 
			 South West n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 
			 West Midlands n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 2 
			 Yorkshire and the Humberside n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 0 
		
	
	n/a=Not applicable.

Fixed Penalty Notices

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many fixed penalty notices for (a) littering and (b) dog fouling were issued in each year for which figures are available.

Ben Bradshaw: The figures are as follows:
	
		Litter
		
			 Region 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 East Midlands 0 0 0 0 2 4 14 363 
			 East of England 0 7 11 25 7 85 132 365 
			 London 75 2,168 1,324 855 4,333 6,275 772 3,587 
			 North East 0 1 24 36 110 163 670 481 
			 North West 0 0 4 8 19 198 324 599 
			 South East 0 2 3 23 61 95 143 233 
			 South West 0 6 1 2 0 4 2 198 
			 West Midlands 0 0 0 44 262 679 749 254 
			 Yorkshire and the Humberside 0 5 25 5 28 203 346 654 
		
	
	
		Dog fouling
		
			 Region 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 
		
		
			 East Midlands 0 3 5 16 13 11 19 10 
			 East of England 0 20 15 11 9 30 18 19 
			 London 0 2 13 11 34 7 3 31 
			 North East 1 16 16 26 18 22 98 108 
			 North West 0 82 85 36 99 54 337 231 
			 South East 4 32 28 23 38 61 40 27 
			 South West 6 44 60 58 41 65 48 17 
			 West Midlands 2 1 2 7 9 30 25 15 
			 Yorkshire and the Humberside 2 14 36 22 33 56 91 85

Fly-tipping

Shona McIsaac: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many incidents of fly-tipping have (a) been reported and (b) led to a prosecution in (i) North East Lincolnshire and (ii) North Lincolnshire since April 2004.

Ben Bradshaw: Defra has worked with the Environment Agency to establish a national database on fly-tipping (Flycapture) which has been operational since April 2004. No national data were previously available on illegal waste disposal or fly-tipping. Flycapture collects data at local authority level only.
	It is important to note that the data are probably an underestimate and will increase as authorities get better at collecting and reporting the data.
	North East Lincolnshire Council reported 1,653 incidents of fly-tipping between April 2004 and March 2005 (average of 138 per month) and 1,116 between April 2005 and February 2006 (average 101 per month). During the same time periods, the Environment Agency investigated three and one incidents respectively.
	Prosecution data are only available from April 2005 to February 2006. During this period no prosecutions were reported by North East Lincolnshire Council or the Environment Agency.
	North Lincolnshire Council reported 3558 incidents of fly-tipping between April 2004 and March 2005 (average of 297 per month) and 3,956 between April 2005 and February 2006 (average 360 per month). During the same time periods, the Environment Agency investigated five and two incidents respectively.
	No prosecutions were reported between April 2005 and February 2006 by North Lincolnshire Council or the Environment Agency.

Forestry Commission

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on her plans to integrate the Forestry Commission with Natural England;
	(2)  what research she has commissioned into the implications of the integration of the Forestry Commission with Natural England for (a) Crown holding of and (b) delivery of grant support for private woodlands; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: There are currently no plans to integrate the Forestry Commission England with Natural England, and no formal research has, therefore, been commissioned into these aspects. However, Defra is working with the Forestry Commission in England and the Natural England Partnership to identify opportunities for greater collaborative working between those two bodies by aligning their activities and services, including management of the public forest estate, in order to provide a better service for their customers and the environment.
	On the delivery of grants, we are working to bring together into a single 'Environmental Land Management Fund' all the funding streams for the protection and enhancement of our countryside, woods and forests, including the Forestry Commission's grants for private woodlands and those grants that are currently delivered by the Natural England confederate partners. The fund will provide a clearer and simpler framework for applicants that will be better targeted to maximise outcomes. As part of this project, we are reviewing all current schemes, run by the two bodies, to ensure a good fit with the new funding framework.

Forestry Commission

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the future of the Forestry Commission.

Jim Knight: As set out in the Rural Strategy 2004, Defra is working to identify opportunities for greater collaborative working between the Forestry Commission in England and Natural England. The two organisations will align their activities, in order to provide more effective and efficient delivery of environmental outcomes and public benefits with improved customer service.

Free Newspapers

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what regulations govern the distribution of free newspapers on the street; and what guidance she has produced for local authorities on this issue.

Ben Bradshaw: As of 6 April this year, the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 will enable principal-litter authorities to control the distribution of free literature on their own land or highways by inserting a new section 94B and schedule 3A to, the Environmental Protection Act 1990. The regime allows local authorities to designate, by order, areas in which the distribution of free literature, including free newspapers, is permitted only with their consent, where such distribution is causing defacement of the land. Anyone caught distributing free literature in a designated area, or commissioning or paying for it, without consent, commits an offence punishable by a fine of up to level 4 (currently £2,500) on the standard scale or a fixed penalty notice. Detailed guidance on these controls is available on Defra's website.
	Policy on parish precepts is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister.

Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research

Daniel Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the likely effects of reductions in funding on service provision at the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research at (a) Aberystwyth and (b) North Wyke;
	(2)  what assessment her Department has made of the potential impact of reductions in funding to the Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research on (a) livestock grazing research and (b) rural management.

Jim Knight: The Institute of Grassland and Environmental Research (IGER) is a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) research institute. Therefore, levels of service provision at (a) Aberystwyth and (b) North Wyke are matters for BBSRC and the institute.
	However, as a customer for the services provided by IGER, Defra has an interest in the maintenance of service provision as related to our present and developing needs. The Department's needs for scientific evidence and, therefore, the expertise required within the scientific community to service these needs, are changing.
	IGER is, and will continue to be, a very important research partner for Defra. This is reflected in my department's continuing significant investment; we are committed to investing over £5 million in research programmes at IGER in financial year 2006–07. No active programmes at IGER are being terminated early and we remain confident that IGER will deliver its ongoing research obligations. It is for BBSRC and the institute to decide on the numbers and make-up of staff needed to deliver IGER's mission, including meeting its contractual obligations to Defra.

Invasive Top Mouth Gudgeon

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her Department's response was to the report on the dispersal of the invasive top mouth gudgeon, Pseudorasbora parva, in the UK: a vector for an emergent infectious disease published in 2005 by the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology and the Environment Agency.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 27 March 2006
	Defra is concerned about the potential threat that the non-native top mouth gudgeon may pose to native species. Under Section 30 of the Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975, persons wishing to introduce fish into inland unenclosed waters in England and Wales require the consent of the Environment Agency; such consent is never given in respect of top mouth gudgeon. In addition, persons wishing to keep these fish in enclosed waters require a licence to do so, issued under the terms of the Prohibition of Keeping or Release of Live Fish (Specified Species) Orders made under the Import of Live Fish Act 1980. The licences are issued by the Fish Health Inspectorate at Cefas, Weymouth and enforced by them and by the Environment Agency. We recognise that tighter controls are necessary but their introduction would require primary legislation on which work is currently in hand.
	The Environment Agency, through its fisheries monitoring programmes, surveys some 1,400 freshwater sites annually and enlist the help of anglers to establish the presence of non-native species including the top mouth gudgeon. They also operate eradication programmes to remove non-native species where this is practical and the fish concerned pose a threat to native populations.
	Defra is funding research at Cefas into the infectious disease known as the rosette-like agent" under an emerging aquatic diseases risk and awareness project. We have commissioned a further three year research project at the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology on the prevalence and impact of the rosette-like agent.

Landfill Sites

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the minimum permitted distance is for a landfill site from residential properties in England; and what the shortest distance is that a landfill site is situated away from such properties.

Ben Bradshaw: Where an application for a new landfill site is made after 16 July 2001, Regulation 5 and Paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 2 to the Landfill (England and Wales) Regulations 2002, place a specific responsibility on Waste Planning Authorities to consider the site location. This takes account of the distances from the boundary to residential and recreational areas, waterways, water bodies and other agricultural or urban sites.
	Decisions on land-use planning matters are the responsibility of the Local Planning Authority (LPA). Where there is a proposal for development within 250 metres of a landfill site, the LPA is likely to consult the Environment Agency. In these cases, the Environment Agency's advice is that the LPA requests risk assessment and risk management proposals.

Map Modification Register

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State forEnvironment, Food and Rural Affairs how many local authorities have a register of definitive map modification order applications as specified by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000; when each authority that does not have such a register plans to introduce one; and why each has not yet introduced one.

Jim Knight: Local highway authorities are responsible for the management of rights of way and all information relating to modification orders is held by the authorities, rather than central Government. This information could be gathered only at disproportionate cost.
	However, local highway authorities had a duty to set up and keep a register under section 53B of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 by the 31 December 2005. We will carry out a review of the implementation of section 53B in due course.

Mini-Motorcycles

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will take steps to tackle noise pollution caused by mini-motorcycles.

Ben Bradshaw: Under Part III of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, local authorities have a statutory duty to inspect their areas for existing, potential and recurring statutory nuisances from time to time; to take reasonable and practicable steps to investigate complaints of statutory nuisance; and to issue an abatement notice where it is satisfied that a statutory nuisance exists, or may occur or recur. Local authorities may also seize noise-making equipment.
	Noise from mini-motorcycles on premises is capable of being a statutory nuisance. Premises can include land and beaches, and, in the case of vehicles, streets. Mini-motorcycles can also be seized as noise-making equipment.
	A statutory nuisance is such that it materially affects someone's reasonable use of their home and/or is prejudicial to their health, as assessed by the local authority on a case-by-case basis. It is not a tool for addressing noise pollution in general.
	Mini-motorcycles ridden illegally or in a careless or anti-social manner (that is causing or likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress) may be seized by the police under section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 powers. A new guidance document was published in November 2005 and sent to all Chief Police Officers.

Mobile Telephones

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on her Department's strategy for minimising the environmental impact of the disposal of unwanted mobile telephones.

Ben Bradshaw: Mobile phones are a good example of widely used products where much has already been done—by producers and consumers—to reduce waste. However, more can and should be done to reduce the impacts of waste disposal at each stage of the product cycle. This is consistent with the direction we are proposing in our recent consultation document on a revised waste strategy for England.
	Defra is working closely with the DTI on the implementation of the EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive, which will make producers financially responsible for the treatment and recycling of electronic equipment, including mobile phones, when it becomes waste. In particular, Defra are taking forward the development of Regulations transposing the treatment and permitting requirements of the Directive, which are intended to improve the environmental performance of operators directly involved in the treatment of WEEE.
	In addition, Defra are also working with DTI on the implementation of the EU RoHS (Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances in electrical and electronic equipment) Directive. From 1 July 2006, the RoHS Regulations will restrict the use of six substances in the manufacture of mobile phones and other electrical and electronic equipment, meaning that they will be easier to treat and recycle when they become waste.
	I am delighted that the Science Museum has recently launched, with Defra support, an exhibition, 'Dead Ringers', which is highlighting the waste impacts of mobile phones and what can be done to reduce them.

Packaging

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which companies have been given Government grants to make their packaging more environmentally friendly; and how much each was given.

Ben Bradshaw: While the Government have not given any grants to businesses directly, the Government funded Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP), set up an £8 million Waste Minimisation Innovation Fund in November 2004 to support research and development projects that focus on reducing the impact of packaging on the environment, for example, by reducing the amount of packaging that goes to landfill.
	To date 28 projects have been approved for funding and £4.1 million has been distributed. Funding has been awarded to companies such as Tesco, Sainsbury's, Argos, Coca-Cola, Proctor and Gamble, Marks and Spencer, Britvic and Heinz to run.
	Trials to research new and existing opportunities for biodegradable packaging and investigate the use of re-usable packaging are currently underway. Other trials aim to minimise the amount of plastic used in containers, glass in bottles and metals in cans and to look at ways of incorporating recycled plastic into drinks containers. It has been estimated that over 500,000 tonnes of packaging could be prevented each year if the research proves successful and the initiatives are taken up across the retail sector.
	The projects are set-up in such a way to ensure that WRAP maintains all intellectual property rights on the findings, ensuring no competitive advantage is gained by participants in the scheme and that any innovations that are developed can be made available to all.
	Additionally WRAP are currently conducting a technical advice programme, looking at opportunities for so called pack-less packaging" which, among other things, will explore the potential for refill and self-dispensing systems in the retail sector. Such initiatives could offer significant benefits in terms of packaging reduction as well as financial savings for both customers and retailers.

Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what proportion of members of the principal civil service pension scheme in her Department joined the scheme before the age of (a) 20, (b) 25, (c) 30, (d) 35, (e) 40, (f) 45 and (g) over 45 years old.

Jim Knight: The Department could provide this information only at disproportionate cost.

Recycling

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much central funding has been allocated to local authority recycling in each year for which figures are available.

Ben Bradshaw: The main source of funding for local authorities' waste management services is the Environmental, Protective and Cultural Services (EPCS) block of annual Government grant. It is for the local authorities to decide what proportion of the block is invested in waste management services, including recycling. Funding is also provided from a variety of other sources to support recycling, the amounts allocated are set out in the following table.
	
		£ million
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 2004–05 2005–06 2006–07 2007–08 
		
		
			 Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund  (WMRG) 40,333,748 50,033,748 96,324,667 45,000,000 — — 
			 Waste Performance and Efficiency Grant — — — 40 105 110 
			 Grant to Relieve Spending Pressures on  Waste — — 20 — — — 
			 Household Incentives Pilots Scheme — — — 5 — — 
			
			 PFI   
			 Direct Consultancy Support — — (3)0.046 (3)0.053 — — 
			 New Technologies Support Fund — — — — — — 
		
	
	(3)As part of North London Waste Authority spanning project.
	Note:
	WMRF Figures include London allocations.

Roadside Car Sales

Si�n James: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what (a) legislation exists and (b) steps are being taken to prevent vehicles from being parked and advertised for sale in parking rest areas and waste land adjacent to Aroads.

Ben Bradshaw: Section 3 of the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 makes it an offence to expose two or more vehicles for sale within 500m of each other on a road or roads as part of a business. This legislation was commenced in June 2005 and can be enforced by local authority officers. The penalty for this offence is a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale, currently 2,500, or liability can be discharged through the issue of a Fixed Penalty Notice of 100, from the 6 April 2006.
	The definition of a road will cover any carriageway that a person can use to get from A to B and is likely to include grass verges, waste land adjacent to roads and parking bays lining a road.

Soil Guideline Values

Malcolm Moss: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to her Answer of 22 March 2006, Official Report, column 444W, on soil guideline values, when officials from her Department met officials from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister over the last 12 months to discuss the issue; what meetings are planned for the next six months (a) with and (b) without representatives of the Environment Agency and the Health Protection Agency; and when she expects to come to a decision regarding soil guideline values for the compound benzo(a) pyrene.

Elliot Morley: My officials are following up on the work of the Soil Guideline Values Task Force. Other Departments and Agencies are and will be involved at the appropriate time. A meeting was held recently which ODPM officials were unable to attend. They attended a technical workshop of the Task Force on 27 March. There will be further meeting opportunities on the follow-up work, with any appropriate attendance by other organisations.

Surplus Wine

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make representations to the European Commission for the distribution of surplus wine to pensioners rather than its conversion to bio-fuel.

Elliot Morley: We have no plans to make representations to the EU on this issue. In particular, the uses to which surplus EU wine is put, such as distillation to alcohol for use as bio-fuel, is a matter for European Commission competence. Furthermore, the distribution of surplus wine to pensioners would not be an economically viable method of disposal. The practicalities of establishing and running such a system would be complex and carry considerable costs entailing a framework of controls to avoid abuse.

Travelling Circuses

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate her Department has made of the number of travelling circuses in the UK.

Ben Bradshaw: The Department is aware of seven travelling circuses in Great Britain that have animals, three of which have 'wild' or 'exotic' animals. We do not hold numbers of travelling circuses in Northern Ireland.

Waste

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she plans to update the guidance on the definition of waste to reflect decisions by the European courts and national courts since the guidance was issued in 1994.

Ben Bradshaw: The definition of waste in force in the UK is that in Article 1(a) of the Waste Framework Directive (as amended). When the definition was brought into force in May 1994 guidance on its interpellation was provided in DOE Circular 11/94 (Annex 2). That guidance was provided in the absence of case law and since its publication there have been several binding judgments by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) on its interpretation.
	The Department is now preparing revised guidance on the principles deriving from the ECJ's judgments with the aim of enabling our competent authorities and industry to determine with a higher degree of certainty when a substance is waste and when it has been fully recovered and ceases to be waste. We intend to engage with external stakeholders on a draft of the revised guidance before it is formally published.
	It has been necessary for the Department to concentrate its staff resources on the adoption of the legislation necessary to comply with the ECJ's adverse judgment of December 2004 on infraction proceedings against the UK on compliance the Waste Framework Directive (Case C-62/03); and the negotiations on the revised Waste Framework Directive published by the European Commission in December 2005. The former has now been addressed in the Waste Management (England and Wales) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 2006 No.937) which were laid before the House on 30 March 2006. It will be necessary for the Department also to publish guidance on the 2006 regulations and as soon as this has been done resources will be allocated to the completion of the revised guidance on the interpretation of the definition of waste. Our aim, therefore, is to engage with external stakeholders on the revised guidance on the definition of waste later in the spring.

Waste and Resources Action Programme

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much funding the Waste and Resources Action Programme has received from the Department in each year since its creation.

Ben Bradshaw: In 200102, the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) received 6,325,723 from Defra. This increased to 10,473,250 in 200203. In 200304, Defra provided 29,732,547 and in 200405 45,708,474. WRAP'S final outturn against Defra payments in 200506 will be 68,205,250. For the financial year 200607, Defra have offered WRAP up to 65,505,000.

Waste Incinerators

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the annual volume of water typically required to enable a household waste incinerator to operate.

Ben Bradshaw: Most municipal waste incinerators in England use a semi-dry gas scrubbing system. Technical Guidance published by the Environment Agency estimates that these typically use between 250350 litres of water per tonne of waste incinerated. The remainder use dry gas scrubbing systems which do not use significant quantities of water.

Water Company Privatisation

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the (a) real term price and (b) percentage increases in water rates on the previous year have been for each water company in each year since privatisation.

Elliot Morley: Ofwat is the economic regulator for water and sewerage services in England and Wales and sets price limits for each water company at price reviews. At privatisation price limits were set by the Secretaries of State for the Environment and Wales.
	Water and sewerage bills and price limits are a matter for Ofwat. I have obtained this information and it has been placed in the Library of the House.

Water Company Privatisation

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what real terms funding for infrastructure each water company has made in each year since privatisation.

Elliot Morley: The Office of Water Services (Ofwat)publishes in its Financial Performance and Expenditure of the Water Companies in England and Wales each water and sewerage companies' investment to maintain its assets. This includes investment in both below ground assets such as pipes and sewers (termed as infrastructure by Ofwat) and above ground assets such as treatment works (termed as non-infrastructure by Ofwat) Determination of the amount of investment to maintain companies' assets is a matter for Ofwat. I have obtained this information and it has been placed in the Library of the House.

Water Company Privatisation

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many times (a) her Department and (b) Ofwat has (i) approved and (ii) not approved increases in water rates charges in each year since privatisation.

Elliot Morley: Water companies fix their own charges within set price limits. In 1989 the Secretaries of State for the Environment and Wales set the original price limits that allowed increases in bills between 1990 and 1995. Since 1990 Ofwat has had responsibility for setting price limits in England and Wales. Ofwat has carried out three reviews of price limits and at each review has set a price limit for each company for each of the following five years. Ofwat set price limits in 1994 and 2004 that allowed increases in the two five-year periods that followed, but it set price limits at the 1999 review thatrequired companies to reduce prices in 2000. Ofwat last set price limits in December 2004, allowing price rises for the five years 2005 to 2010.
	Ofwat has also adjusted price limits by interim determinations between price reviews.
	Determination of price limits is a matter for Ofwat. Ihave obtained this information and it has been placed in the Library of the House.

Water Saving Group

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on how many occasions the Water Saving Group has met since October 2005.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 27 March 2006
	The establishment of the Water Saving Group fulfils a Government manifesto commitment to work with the water industry and others to establish a water savings body. Its purpose is to bring together key water industry stakeholders to promote the efficient use of water in households as part of the wider effort to ensure the long term sustainability of the water supply. It is not a response to the shorter term problems of drought in the South East, but seeks to contribute to demand management in the long term.
	The Water Saving Group had its first meeting on 20 October 2005. It is chaired by my hon. Friend the Minister of State for Climate Change and the Environment and it will meet again on 18 May. Between meetings, work is co-ordinated and assessed by a working group of representatives of all the Group members. The working group is led by the Director, Water in Defra and has met twice since last October.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

1911 Census

Mike Hancock: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether the National Archive has given reasons for the application of exemption 41 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to extracts of the 1911 census; and whether an internal review of the decision to apply the exemption has been carried out.

Bridget Prentice: In consultation with the Office for National Statistics, The National Archives has applied the S.41 exemption, relating to information provided in confidence, to requests for information in the 1911 census returns. This is in accordance with the Government's policy that census returns should become open only after 100 years, in order to maintain the public's trust in the confidentiality assurances on census forms. Internal reviews have been carried out by The National Archives in relation to specific requests, and, after careful consideration, it has been concluded that the original decision to apply the S.41 exemption is correct.

Burial Grounds

Tony Baldry: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs when her Department's survey of burial grounds will be published; and what assessment she has made of the cost of carrying out the survey.

Harriet Harman: The responses to the survey are currently being processed and it is hoped to make available the findings from this exercise in October. The cost of carrying out the survey has been estimated at 50,000.

Capita Group

Chris Grayling: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how much business her Department has placed with (a) Capita Group plc and (b) its subsidiaries in each of the last five years; what the total value is of outstanding contracts placed with Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries by her Department; for which current tenders issued by her Department (i) Capita Group plc and (ii) its subsidiaries have been invited to bid; and whether (A) Capita Group plc and (B) its subsidiaries have seconded staff (1)temporarily and (2) on a longer-term basis to (X) her Department and (Y) its agencies.

Harriet Harman: The value of known contracts placed over the last three financial years is as follows:
	
		
		
			  (a) Capita Group plc (b) Capita subsidiaries 
		
		
			 200506 0 1,267,379 
			 200405 0 498,678 
			 200304 0 12,250 
			 200203 0 17,165 
			 200102 0 3,800 
		
	
	The value on these outstanding contracts is as follows:
	(a) Capita Group plc: 0
	(b) subsidiaries: 74,400
	There is one current tender in which a subsidiary of Capita Group plc has been invited to bidprovision of an authorised pensions administration centre for the Department.
	No staff have been seconded from Capita Group plc or its subsidiaries to my Department or its agencies, either temporarily or on a longer-term basis.
	My Department does not hold a central register of contracts. The information on known contracts with Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries has been given above. However, it may not be comprehensive. This is chiefly because the Department inherited a large number of contracts at the time that HMCS was created in April 2005. The Capita Group plc has many subsidiaries, some of which have no obvious connection to the holding company and it is possible that a relevant contact may not have been identified as such. Confirming the complete list of contracts with Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.

Capita Group

James Brokenshire: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the value of contracts held by her Department with (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries was in the last three financial years.

Harriet Harman: The value of known contracts placed over the last three financial years is as follows.
	
		
		
			  (a) Capita Group plc (b) Capita subsidiaries 
		
		
			 200506 0 1,267,379 
			 200405 0 498,678 
			 200304 0 12,250 
		
	
	My Department does not hold a central register of contracts. The information on known contracts with Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries has been given above. However, it may not be comprehensive. This is chiefly because the Department inherited a large number of contracts at the time that HMCS was created in April 2005. The Capita Group plc has many subsidiaries, some of which have no obvious connection to the holding company and it is possible that a relevant contact may not have been identified as such. Confirming the complete list of contracts with Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.

Capita Group

James Brokenshire: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many tenders (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries has submitted to her Department in each of the last three years; and how many tenders were successful.

Harriet Harman: Records of lists of tenderers are not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Information is held centrally on the award of some contracts but may not be complete. This is chiefly because the Capita Group plc has many subsidiaries, some of which have no obvious connection to the holding company and it is possible that a relevant contact may not have been identified as such. Confirming the complete list of contracts awarded to the Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries could be achieved only at disproportionate cost. The number of known contracts awarded to Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries is shown as follows:
	
		
			  Capita Group plc Capita subsidiaries 
		
		
			 200506 0 30 
			 200405 0 8 
			 200304 0 1

Capita Group

James Brokenshire: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many contracts her Department holds with (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries which have a potential duration of five years or more.

Harriet Harman: My Department does not hold a central register of contracts. Some information is held centrally, but it may not be comprehensive. This is chiefly because the Department inherited a large number of contracts at the time that HMCS was created in April 2005. The Capita Group plc has many subsidiaries, some of which have no obvious connection to the holding company and it is possible that a relevant contact may not have been identified as such. Confirming the complete list of contracts with Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries could be achieved only at disproportionate cost.
	Known details of contracts with a potential duration of five years or more are as follows:
	(a) Capita Group plc: none
	(b) Capita subsidiaries: one.

Coroners' Services

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will add coroners services to the list of public authorities covered by the Freedom of Information Act 2000; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: Coroners inquests are not covered by the FOI Act. This is consistent with the position of other courts. There are, at present, no plans to make coroners inquests subject to the FOI Act.

Coroners' Services

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many of the (a) special and (b) routine post mortems carried out by the Haringey Coroners' Service have later been subject to a public inquest in each of the last five years.

Harriet Harman: The information requested is not recorded. The North London coroner assesses that (a) about 70 routine post-mortem examinations and (b) about 25 to 30 special post-mortem examinations performed at Hornsey led to inquests being opened in each of the past 5 years.

Coroners' Services

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many pathologists were employed by Haringey Coroner Services to carry out post-mortems in 2005.

Harriet Harman: Six pathologists provided a service for the North London coroner at Hornsey Public Mortuary in 2005.

Court Hearings (Transport)

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs who determines the location of a hearing in court for a criminal hearing; what assessment is made of transportation needs for such a hearing; what criteria are used to determine the location of a hearing; and what account is taken of the costs incurred.

Harriet Harman: Magistrates courts hearings are heard either at a court within the local justice area in which the offence is alleged to have been committed or where the person charged with the offence resides. Magistrates courts may change the location of a hearing if it is more convenient for witnesses to attend elsewhere. To this extent courts consider transportation needs.
	The following criteria is applied by magistrates to determine the location for Crown court hearings when committing a person for a trial (a) the convenience of the defence, prosecution and witnesses (b) the expediting of the trial, and (c) any direction given by or on behalf of the Lord Chief Justice with the concurrence of the Lord Chancellor. The location of a Crown court hearing can be altered at judicial discretion. Reasons for altering locations include ensuring that individual cases progress at a faster rate and to enable cases to be heard where there is the appropriate judicial expertise.
	No specific account is taken of the costs incurred when determining the location of criminal hearings in criminal courts but locality and convenience are normal criteria courts take into consideration.

Criminal Justice System

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what progress has been made towards her Department's targets for the modernisation of the criminal justice system.

Harriet Harman: The Department for Constitutional Affairs has no PSA targets related to the modernisation of the Criminal Justice System.
	However, specialised courts have been set up to deal with these cases. For example, two pilot Drug Courts were launched in December 2005 at West London and Leeds magistrates courts.
	The Community Justice Centre in Liverpool showcases another approach, bringing the criminal justice agencies (including the police) and voluntary service providers together in one building to work with local people to tackle the problems that blight their community. At Salford magistrates court we are looking at how the lessons we are learning in Liverpool can be extended into the mainstream magistrates court system.
	DCA is committed to making the best use of available technology to support the work of the criminal justice system. We are nearing completion of a programme to install a modern IT infrastructure in the Crown court which will provide the platform to deliver new IT systems as part of the HMCS modernisation programme. The first IT system to run on the new infrastructure is XHIBIT (exchanging hearing information by internet technology), which sends hearing information from the courtroom to victims, witnesses, and other criminal justice organisations within minutes. This system is on target to be rolled out to all Crown court centres by March this year. A new audio-visual system is now under trial in Liverpool. This is able to present audio and visual evidence in court from any source, analogue or digital. The system can also handle several tasks at once, allowing it to videoconference between courtroom and a witness while simultaneously displaying evidence to both.

Custody Deaths

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the averagetime between a death in custody and the (a) commencement and (b) conclusion of the coroner's inquest was in each county in each year since 1997.

Harriet Harman: The information required is not collated centrally and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

Departmental Policies (Islington, South and Finsbury)

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Islington, South and Finsbury constituency, the effects on Islington, South and Finsbury of her Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997.

Harriet Harman: The Department for Constitutional Affairs is the Government Department responsible for upholding justice, rights and democracy. The Department's aim is to provide for effective and accessible justice for all, to ensure the rights and responsibilities of the citizen, and to modernise the law and constitution.
	Currently, the Department has four strategic objectives, which cover the delivery of justice, civil and administrative law, protecting the vulnerable, modernising the constitution, increasing consumer choice and working in partnership with the independent judiciary. The Department also has five public service agreement targets to help deliver its strategic objectives, three of which are shared with the other criminal justice departments and agencies.
	It will be clear that the range of the Department's policies and actions is wide and the statistical information relating to it is not normally collected on a constituency basis. Consequently, the information requested in the question cannot be provided in the form requested except at a disproportionate cost. However, general statistical information about the Department's activities can be found at: http://www.dca.gov.uk/statistics/statfr.htm.
	An example of the information available on this site is statistical data on the speed with which persistent young offenders are brought to justice. The average number of days from arrest to sentence for persistent young offenders sentenced during the period from October to December 2005 was 86 days in the Metropolitan police force area, and 72 days in the Islington Basic Command Unit (BCD) area. These figures compare with 160 days in the Metropolitan police force area in the 1997 calendar year.

Electoral Administration Bill

Richard Benyon: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of the viability of amending the Electoral Administration Bill so that voters who currently opt to appear on the edited version of the register could block third parties using personal details which appear on historic registers which were published only as full versions without the choice to appear on an edited version.

Bridget Prentice: The Representation of the People Regulations 2002 provide that electors may opt out of the edited version of the register of electors if they do not want their details to be sold to anyone for any purpose. Any attempt to use legislation to impose a retrospective ban on the use of information derived from pre-2002 electoral registers, though, is likely to be impracticable and unenforceable since this may be provided by commercial organisations based outside of the UK against whom the sanctions of UK law cannot be applied. Electors who do not want their details to be used by commercial organisations may wish to approach the mailing or telephone preference services requesting deletion from company records or publicly available websites or otherwise make a request directly to an individual organisation. If an organisation fails to comply with such a request an elector may pursue the issue with the Information Commissioner's Office.

Electoral Registration Officers

John Spellar: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs pursuant to her answer of 22 March 2006, Official Report, column 456W, on the electoral register, what advice is given to electoral registration officers (EROs) on prosecuting those failing to return an electoral registration form; and if she will ascertain from EROs whether any prosecutions have been brought.

Bridget Prentice: No advice is issued centrally to EROs on prosecuting those who fail to return an electoral registration form. The independent Electoral Commission has within its remit a general duty to issue advice and guidance to electoral administrators. EROs are aware of their powers under electoral law to initiate prosecutions against those who commit the offence of failing to give, or providing false, information required for the purposes of maintaining registers of parliamentary and local government electors. As this is a matter for local discretion, records of such prosecutions are not held centrally and therefore the information relating to prosecutions could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

Grievance Procedures

David Simpson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many grievance procedures have been initiated in her Department in each of the last three years.

Harriet Harman: There are no figures available for the number of grievances initiated in my department, save for the numbers of grievances involving equality and diversity issues.

Harassment

David Simpson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many complaints of (a) bullying and (b) sexual harassment have been investigated in her Department in each of the last three years; and how many complaints have been upheld.

Harriet Harman: The numbers of these types of complaints investigated by the department over the last 3 years is as follows:
	
		
			  Cases Upheld Dismissed 
		
		
			 Bullying behaviour 
			 200304 12 2 10 
			 200405 12 6 6 
			 200506 21 13 8 
			 
			 Sexual harassment 
			 200304 2 1 1 
			 200405
			 200506 1 1

Sexual Harassment

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many cases of sexual harassment were brought in the West Midlands in which the defendant was subsequently acquitted of all charges in the last year for which figuresare available, broken down by criminal justice area.

Harriet Harman: Information regarding the number of cases of sexual harassment is not specifically recorded and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost to the Department.

James Collinson

Pete Wishart: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the cost was of the coroner's inquest into the death of James Collinson.

Harriet Harman: The cost of this inquest is not yet available. I shall write to the hon. Member and place a copy of my reply in the Library of the House when the costs of the inquest are known.

Land Disputes

Mark Williams: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many civil cases related to neighbourhood land disputes have been taken to the courts in each of the last 10 years.

Harriet Harman: Information about the number of civil cases related to neighbourhood land disputes is not separately collected and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost to the Department.

Legal Aid (Recoupment)

Paul Rowen: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many (a) cases and (b) firms of solicitors are expected to be affected by the Legal Services Commission (LSC) recouping legal aid payments in financial years (i)200506 and (ii) 200607; what average amount firms of solicitors owe; what average payment solicitors have made; and after what period of time the LSC would assess a case as being too old to merit recovery of legal aid funds.

Harriet Harman: The information requested is not available. However, firms of solicitors do have a duty to report accurately to the LSC at the end of each case so that financial matters can be settled. Additionally, the LSC runs ongoing initiatives to identify those cases which have concluded but where the solicitors have not reported this to them. There is no period of time after which the LSC would consider a case being too old to merit the recovery of legal aid funds.

Ministerial Visits

Keith Vaz: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many EU member statesshe has visited on official business since her appointment.

Harriet Harman: I have visited one EU member state since my appointment, which was Ireland. The Department for Constitutional Affairs Minister responsible for EU policy, Baroness Ashton of Upholland, has visited 14 EU member states. These are listed as follows:
	Austria
	Belgium
	Czech Republic
	Estonia
	Finland
	France
	Hungary
	Ireland
	Lithuania
	Luxembourg
	The Netherlands
	Poland
	Slovakia
	Sweden

National Archives

Richard Burden: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what representations she has received on the charging of broadcasters to use National Archive footage for transmissions.

Harriet Harman: I have not received any representations on this issue.

National Archives

Richard Burden: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs when National Archives introduced charging for the use of footage by broadcasters.

Harriet Harman: The National Archives has operated a commercial Image library for about the last 10 years, and throughout that time it has had a policy of charging production companies a reproduction fee for broadcasting images of its files or documents, or showing close-up footage of its files or documents in commercially produced programmes.

National Archives

Richard Burden: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the use of proceeds received by National Archives from broadcasters using footage for transmissions.

Harriet Harman: Any revenue above operating costs generated by the National Archives Image library is retained within the National Archives as a contribution toward running costs or is used to fund new projects.

National Archives

Richard Burden: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what guidance is given to broadcasters regarding charges for the use of footage from National Archives.

Harriet Harman: The National Archives' policy of charging for the use of footage is clearly stated under 'reproduction fees' on the relevant page on the website http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/news/press/filming. htm
	When broadcasters visit the National Archives, they are explicitly advised that a reproduction fee will be payable in respect of the footage used in the broadcast version of the programme, and that they will be required to provide the National Archives Image library with the details required for a fee to be calculated.

National Archives

Richard Burden: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what income her Department has received from fees paid by broadcasters using footage from National Archives for transmission in each of the last five years.

Harriet Harman: It is not possible to distinguish income received by the National Archives through the use of footage filmed by broadcasters from the reproduction fees of static images paid by commercial production companies without incurring disproportionate cost. Total income from these sources over the last five years is as follows:
	
		
			  Amount (000) 
		
		
			 200001 80 
			 200102 118 
			 200203 86 
			 200304 84 
			 200405 90

National Archives

Richard Burden: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs whether her Department plans to re-examine the charging of broadcasters for use of footage from National Archives for transmissions.

Harriet Harman: This is an operational matter for the National Archives, which has no plans to review the policy of charging for the reproduction of footage of documents from the National Archives in commercial television productions.

Parliamentary Candidates (Interests)

David Simpson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will bring forward proposals to require declaration of parliamentary candidates' interests.

Bridget Prentice: The Government have no plans to bring forward proposals to require candidates at a parliamentary election to declare their interests.

Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme

Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what proportion of members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme in her Department joined the scheme before the age of (a) 20, (b) 25, (c) 30, (d) 35, (e) 40, (f) 45 and (g) over 45 years old.

Bridget Prentice: The Pension records for the Department are not maintained in a format which enables this data to be easily extracted. The information requested can therefore only be provided at a disproportionate cost.

Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme

Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the current employer contribution rates to the Principal Civil Service pension scheme are; what assumed rate of return underlies those contribution rates; and what the contribution rate would be if the assumed rate of return was in line with current redemption yield on index-linked gilts.

Bridget Prentice: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office on 29 March 2006, Official Report, column 1031W.

Sexual Offences

Ben Chapman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of the effect of adverse publicity on defendants who are subsequently acquitted in sex offence cases.

Paul Goggins: I have been asked to reply.
	No such assessment had been made as defendants in sex offence cases and other defendants are treated equally, in accordance with the principle of open justice.

Sexual Offences

Ben Chapman: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what assessment she has made of the human rights implications for people accused of sex offences and subsequently acquitted who suffer adverse publicity as a result of media identification.

Paul Goggins: I have been asked to reply.
	Article 6(1) of The European Convention of Human Rights does not confer a right of anonymity on defendants. The Government regards open justice as a fundamental principle of our Criminal Justice System.

Summary Trials

Lady Hermon: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what percentage of (a) trials on indictment and (b) summary trials in (i)Northern Ireland and (ii) England and Wales that collapsed did so because (A) the defendant changed his plea, (B) witnesses did not attend and (C) the defendant pleaded guilty to a lesser offence in the latest period for which figures are available.

Harriet Harman: Figures showing the number and percentage of cases listed for trial in the Crown court and magistrates courts in England and Wales where the trial cracked on the day for the reasons requested are provided in the following table. The figures cover the six-month period September 2005 to February 2006.
	
		
			  Trials on indictment (Crown court) Summary trials (magistrates court) 
		
		
			 (A) Change of plea   
			 Number cracked 4,728 16,342 
			 Percentage 64.1 49.0 
			
			 (B) Prosecution witness non-attendance 
			 Number cracked 1,257 4,772 
			 Percentage 17 14.3 
			
			 (C) Guilty plea to lesser offence 
			 Number cracked 380 2,073 
			 Percentage 5.2 6.2 
		
	
	Note:
	Percentage figure is percentage of total cracked trials.
	Relative figures for Crown trials listed in Northern Ireland in the same period are detailed in the table. This information is not collected centrally for magistrates court trials and can be provided only at disproportionate cost to the Department.
	
		
			  Trials on indictment (Crown court)(4) 
		
		
			 (A) Change of plea  
			 Number 166 
			 Percentage 31 
			   
			 (B) Prosecution witness non-attendance 
			 Number 15 
			 Percentage 3 
			   
			 (C) Guilty plea to lesser offence  
			 Number 30 
			 Percentage 6 
		
	
	(4)Total number of trials = 533.
	Note:
	Percentage figure is percentage all cases listed.

Woolwich Crown Court

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will make a statement on the (a) use of and (b) available capacity at Woolwich Crown court.

Harriet Harman: Woolwich Crown court has available seven courtrooms one of which has recently been upgraded to accommodate high security trials bringing the number suitable to hear high security cases to three.
	Increasingly, Woolwich is the preferred site in SE England to hear high security cases, which often require the deployment of armed police protection. Additionally it has the capacity to hear cases committed to the Crown from neighbouring magistrates courts.
	One courtroom is also suitable to hear magistrates cases as and when required.
	There are five permanent circuit judges based at the courthouse with visiting district judges and magistrates. Woolwich's sitting day profilethe number of days available for judges to sit and hear caseswas 1,271 days for the year 200506.
	The sitting day profile schedule for 200607 is 1,481 days.

TRANSPORT

A21

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what status the A21 upgrade has under the South East England Regional Assembly's recommendations on regional priorities; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: We are currently considering the South East region's advice on their priorities for major transport schemes including improvement schemes on the A21. We are planning to announce our response to the region's advice later this year. The advice can be viewed at: http://www.southeast-ra.gov.uk/our-work/advocacy/rfa.html

A21

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from the Highways Agency on public consultations on the proposed A21 upgrade between Flimwell and Robertsbridge.

Stephen Ladyman: I wrote to the hon. Member on 27 January 2006. Attached to that letter was a summary from the Highways Agency, of the main proposals from those attending the A21 Flimwell to Hurst Green interest group 'surgery' which was held on 7 December 2005.
	The Highways Agency will continue to meet and have discussions with individuals, key stakeholders and local interest groups, as requested.

Aerotoxic Syndrome

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will publish the Porton Down report on engine oil and Aerotoxic Syndrome affecting pilots during flight.

Derek Twigg: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has two research reports from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down on the subject of engine oil contamination of cabin air. These are:
	The toxicity of aircraft lubricant pyrolysis products related to Cabin Air Quality Incidents, by J Jenner, B Jugg, J Scawin, NOsmond and P Rice, dated December 2001, and,
	Analysis of aircraft air-conditioning duct contaminants, by JJenner and B Muir, dated July 2003.
	These reports contributed to the CAA paper 2004/04 Cabin Air Quality which was published on the CAA's website in 2004. I am informed by the CAA that the technical content of these two reports appears in its entirety in the CAA's paper. The CAA, which has copyright, has no plans to publish these reports separately.
	In addition to these two research reports the CAA has a review document:
	A Review of Three Reports on the Toxicology of Aviation Lubricant Constituents, by J Jenner, B Jugg and J Scawin, dated May 2002
	I am informed by the CAA that this paper is a critique of other scientific work, and was prepared for CAA internal use only. The CAA has no plans to publish this paper and the Department does not have a copy of it.

Aircraft Noise

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the difference between peak and mean aircraft noise levels near British airports.

Derek Twigg: The Department has not made any specific assessment of the difference between peak and mean aircraft noise levels. This is because the suitability of what measurement is used will depend on the type of noise situation being addressed.
	The Department uses various measures of aircraft noise levels. The departure noise limits at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted relate to peak noise 1 and aircraft noise events at the fixed noise monitors (where the limits apply) are measured accordingly.
	Since 1990, the Department has used equivalent continuous noise leveleffectively an averaging out of noise energy over a given periodas the measure of average aircraft noise exposure 2 .
	Mean peak aircraft noise levels are not assessed on a routine basis but would be considered if appropriate andreported in technical studies carried out by the Environmental Research and Consultancy Department of the Civil Aviation Authority. For example, CS Report 9539 Review of the Departure Noise Limits at Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted Airports includes statistics broken showing the reference mean levels, standard deviations and other statistical information relating to the peak noise of actual flights. A copy of this report was placed in the House Library.
	1 Measured in Lmax dBA
	2 This entails the calculation of Leq, logarithmic average sound exposure levels (SEL) for each aircraft type

Airports (Alternative Fuelled Vehicles)

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps are being taken to encourage the use of alternative fuelled vehicles at airports.

Derek Twigg: The UK aviation industry has developed and published A Strategy Towards Sustainable Development of UK Aviation. This includes a commitment to deliver continued improvements in airport ground vehicles, along with improvements in supply of ground power services, operational practices and the availability of cleaner fuels. The industry is committed to reporting on progress with this commitment by the end of 2006.

British Railways Board

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what property, including railway structures, is owned by the British Railways Board (Residuary) Ltd.; and where the property is located.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 6 March 2006
	As at 31 March 2005 BRB(R) Limited owned 735 pieces of non operational railway land and property. Details of their location are available on the company's website at www.brbr.gov.uk. This website will be updated in the next two months. The company also has leasehold interests in the following buildings:
	Birmingham, Axis
	Birmingham, Meridian
	Crewe, Rail House
	Croydon, Southern House
	Croydon, Stephenson House
	Liverpool, Rail House
	London N1, Whittles House
	London SE1, Friars Bridge Court
	Manchester, Rail House
	Nottingham, Furlong House
	Orpington, Nightingale House
	Southampton, Overline House
	York, Hudson House
	These leases were taken out by the British Railways Board prior to the privatisation of the railway in the 1990's and are of a long-term and onerous nature. As such it was not considered appropriate to transfer them to the private sector at privatisation. BRB(R) will routinely exit its obligations under these leases as and when the opportunity arises and where such an exit provides good value for money for the taxpayer.
	BRB(R) also owns and is responsible for the upkeep of some 4,000 structures, details of which have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Congestion Charging

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which cities have applied for funding to establish a congestion charging scheme.

Stephen Ladyman: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) on 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 802W.

Defective Vehicles

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate his Department has made of the number of vehicles driving with defective (a) brakes, (b) brake lights, (c) head lights, (d) tail lights and (e) side lights; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: Vehicle and Operator Services Agency's latest assessment of vehicle defects, including lamps, is published in their effectiveness report which is available online at www.vosa.gov.uk

Drink-driving

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many drink-driving accidents there were in (a) Romford and (b) Havering in each of the past 10 years.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is not available. Estimates of drink drive accidents in Great Britain as a whole are published each year in an article in Road Casualties Great BritainAnnual Report. Estimates below Government office region level are not available.

Energy Efficiency

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to increase energy efficiency within his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: The Department is committed to improving energy efficiency. We will undertake a number of actions to improve energy efficiency on our estate.

Greater Western Franchise

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of the document SLC2 relating to the Greater Western Franchise.

Derek Twigg: A copy of the Greater Western SLC2 will be placed in the Library when it becomes a public document. SLC2, together with the Greater Western franchise agreement with which it needs to be read, is currently going through the statutory exclusions procedure in the Railways Act 1993 (as amended). This must be carried out before SLC2 can be made public by being placed in the Department for Transport's public register.

Heritage Railways

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the implications for heritage railways of the EU directive on Railway and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations 2006; and what representations he has received on this matter.

Derek Twigg: I laid before Parliament on 17 March 2006 the proposed Railways and Other Guided Transport Systems (Safety) Regulations (ROGS) which implement the safety management aspects of EU Directive 2004/49/EC. An Explanatory Memorandum, Transposition Note and Regulatory Impact Assessment for all sectors of the railway, including heritage railways, accompany the proposed regulations. A copy has been placed in the House Library. Before laying the proposed regulations, I had a constructive meeting with representatives of heritage railways and representatives of the tramway industry on 1 March.

Hit and Run Incidents

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  how many hit and run incidents have been recorded in each of the last eight years, broken down by police force area;
	(2)  how many (a) deaths, (b) serious injuries and (c)injuries have been recorded as a result of hit and run incidents in each of the last eight years, broken down by police force area.

Stephen Ladyman: Tables showing (a) the number of personal injury road accidents which involved one or more hit and run drivers or riders and (b) the resulting fatalities, serious and all injuries resulting from these accidents, for the years 19972004 (the latest year for which figures are available), broken down by police force, have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Imported Cars

David Burrowes: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps the Government are taking to deal with imported cars licensed in EU countries displaying out of date number plates and thereby avoiding enforcement action after road traffic offences.

Stephen Ladyman: Overseas registered vehicles that are temporarily brought into the United Kingdom are usually exempt from registration and licensing rules for six months, provided they remain properly registered and taxed in their home state.
	The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) is aware that some drivers of overseas registered vehicles may not be aware of their obligations and that some are deliberately breaking the rules.
	The DVLA has established agreements with several EU partner organisations to obtain information about the licensing and registration status of vehicles registered abroad. DVLA is also conducting a programme of education to raise awareness of the requirements among the users of foreign registered vehicles and to encourage their licensing and registration in the UK where appropriate.
	Those that continue to flout the law will be subject to enforcement action including the wheel clamping and impounding of the vehicle.

Long-distance Trains

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps the Government have taken to increase speeds on long-distance rail trips in order to reduce travel time.

Derek Twigg: Travel time on long-distance rail services have been improved through a variety of infrastructure and timetable initiatives including the West Coast Route Modernisation programme, which has upgraded much of the infrastructure to 125 mph and introduced modern trains with a significant reduction in journey times for travellers between Scotland and London.

Long-distance Trains

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps the Government have taken to increase the proportion of long-distance trains that run on time.

Derek Twigg: Long-distance operator's punctuality has improved to 82.2 per cent. in February 2006, an increase of 9.2 percentage points in the last two years.
	Under the Future of Rail White Paper 2004, Network Rail is accountable for performance and for co-ordinating rail industry planning and operational management. As a result of this change, they and the train operators now work more closely.
	In addition, the Department holds regular meetings with Network Rail, and industry representatives to discuss further performance improvement.

LPG Vehicles

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport why vehicles converted to run on liquefied petroleum gas prior to 2001 are not eligible to be classified as low emissions vehicles by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

Stephen Ladyman: Only cars registered on or after 1 March 2001 can be licensed under the graduated vehicle excise duty scheme.

M1

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the average number of vehicles using the M1 each day was in the last period for which figures are available; and how many vehicles the M1 was originally designed to carry.

Stephen Ladyman: Average daily traffic flows during the twelve months to the end of December 2005 are available at several locations on the M1.
	Flows on the M1 vary according to the location along the motorway. Between junctions 1 and 2, within the M25, there are 50,000 vehicles per day (vpd) rising to 155,000 vpd between junctions 89 near St Albans and Luton and reducing again to 65,000 vpd between junctions 43 and 44 in Leeds.
	The original predicted flows for the first section of M1, between Watford and Rugby, were forecast to be between 11,000 and 26,000 vpd in 1960. There were no predictions for flows in other future years.

M6

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when a decision will be reached on (a) widening the existing carriageway on the M6 and (b) building a new adjacent expressway.

Stephen Ladyman: In December 2002 the Highways Agency was instructed to evaluate widening concepts for the M6. This was followed in July 2005 by instruction to consider the additional concept of an expressway. The findings are due to be reported this summer following which a decision will be made regarding both concepts.

M6

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of (a) widening the existing carriageway on the M6 and (b) building a new adjacent expressway.

Stephen Ladyman: The Highways Agency are currently considering widening and expressway concepts for the M6. Costs are being considered as part of that study which I expect to receive this summer.

M6

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects work (a) to begin and (b) to be completed on improving capacity on the M6 between Birmingham and Manchester.

Stephen Ladyman: The Highways Agency are currently considering widening and expressway concepts for the M6. Programming is being considered as part of that study which I expect to receive this summer.

M6

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department began consulting on improving capacity on the M6 between Birmingham and Manchester.

Stephen Ladyman: The public were first consulted on proposals to widen this section of the M6 in the early 1990's.

M6

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much his Department spent (a) on planning, (b) on consulting and (c) in total on (i)improving capacity on the M6 between Birmingham and Manchester and (ii) the Midlands to Manchester multi-modal study.

Stephen Ladyman: In the period since our response to the west midlands to north west conurbations multi-modal study in December 2002, approximately 4.5 million has been spent on preliminary design work, stakeholder engagement and other planning activities on improving capacity on the M6 between Birmingham and Manchester. It is not possible to provide a detailed breakdown of the total at the present time.
	The total cost of the west midlands to north west conurbations multi-modal study was 2 million. This figure includes costs relating to public consultation exercises that were undertaken as part of the study.

M6

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations his Department has received on improving capacity on the M6 between Birmingham and Manchester.

Stephen Ladyman: In the summer and autumn of 2004 the Department undertook a consultation, 'M6: Giving motorists a choice', on the concept of building a new tolled expressway to run parallel with the M6, as an alternative to widening the existing M6 between Birmingham and Manchester (junction 11A to junction 19).
	The consultation sought views on whether the Government should ask the Highways Agency to carry out more detailed development work and a feasibility study on the option of an expressway. Approximately 9,500 responses were received from a range of stakeholders. The responses were carefully analysed and a breakdown was placed in the Library of the House on 19 July 2005, when I announced the outcome of the initial consultation and the Secretary of State's decision to ask the Highways Agency to undertake further work in parallel on both the expressway and widening options.
	As part of the option evaluation work currently in progress, the Highways Agency has been engaging with a wide range of representative stakeholder bodies, including the statutory environmental agencies. The Agency has organised eight meetings with stakeholders since the beginning of the year, including three well attended seminars, and two further meetings are currently planned for April. The discussions and written feedback will form part of the data to be used to inform a ministerial decision on the option to be taken forward. Formal public consultation would form part of the next stage of scheme development.
	In addition to comments made during discussions, a total of 141 representations in the form of feedback sheets, letters and e-mails have been received from stakeholders to date.

Nottingham East Midlands Airport

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what submissions he has received from the independent consultative committee on Nottingham East Midlands Airport in relation to the airport authority's 10-point plan to reduce noise from its operations.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 30 March 2006
	As indicated at the time of the Government's decision not to designate NEMA for noise control purposes, progress on delivery of the '10-point plan' has been reviewed with the consultative committee and the airport. Additional proposals in the draft masterplan have now overtaken the '10-point plan'. However, I understand that the independent consultative committee intends to forward a submission on this issue after its next environmental meeting in June.

Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what his Department's employer contribution rates to the Principal Civil Service pension scheme are; what assumed rate of return underlies those contribution rates; and what the contribution rate would be if the assumed rate of return was in line with current redemption yield on index-linked gilts.

Derek Twigg: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Murphy), on 29 March 2006, Official Report, columns 103031W.

Public Transport

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps the Government has taken to reduce automobile use and increase the use of public transportation.

Stephen Ladyman: The ability to travel offers real benefits, underpinning the competitiveness of the economy and helping to build an inclusive society. It is therefore the Government's policy to meet the challenges of a growing economy and the increasing demand for travel so caused while minimising the negative impacts on society and the environment.
	We are spending c.87 million a week on the national rail networkwhich has seen reliability rise to above 85 per cent. and usage rise to a level not seen since the 1960s. We also contribute over 1 billion a year to improving London Underground services.
	Local and central Government's funding support for bus services is 1.7 billion a year and bus patronage in England has risen by nearly 8 per cent. since 200001. In addition, off-peak bus travel will be free for those aged 60 and over and for disabled people at local authority level from April this year, with a national scheme due to begin in April 2008.
	We have also made available 200 million p.a. from 200809 to 201415 within the Transport Innovation Fund to support schemes which tackle local congestion through a combination of demand management, including road pricing, and improved public transport.

Railways

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations his Department has received from Arriva Trains Wales on the consultation on the First Great Western Trains proposed December 2006 timetable.

Derek Twigg: The Department has received no representations from Arriva Trains Wales on the consultation on the First Great Western Trains proposed December 2006 timetable.

Railways

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many railway crashes there have been in each of the last 10 years.

Derek Twigg: The details of all railway crashes for the last 10 years are published in the Health and Safety Executive's annual rail safety reports, copies of which are available from the House Library.

Railways

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of railway expenditure has been derived from (a) passenger fares and (b) taxation for each year since 1994; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 8 February 2006
	The information is not available in the form requested. Annual spend on the railway cannot be directly attributed to revenue generated from fares and Government support generated from taxation. However, passenger revenue and total government support for the railway for each year are as follows:
	
		
			  Passenger revenue ( million) Total Government support ( million) Total expenditure ( million) Passenger revenue as percentage of spend 
		
		
			 199293 2,259 2,171 4,430 51 
			 199394 2,232 1,627 3,859 58 
			 199495 2,171 1,697 3,868 56 
			 199596 2,388 431 2,819 85 
			 199899 3,089 1,586 4,675 66 
			 19992000 3,368 1,418 4,786 70 
			 200001 3,369 1,214 4,583 74 
			 200102 3,533 1,826 5,359 66 
			 200203 3,706 2,588 6,294 59 
			 200304 3,918 3,622 7,540 52 
			 200405 4,192 3,222 7,414 57 
		
	
	Note:
	Because of changes in reporting requirements comparable data on passenger revenues are not available for 199697 and 199798.

Railways

Si�n James: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the work of HM Railway Inspectorate.

Derek Twigg: The activities of the Health and Safety Executive's HM Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) include securing compliance with relevant health and safety legislation through a programme of planned inspection and through the provision of advice. Additionally, and where appropriate, they also take enforcement action to ensure future compliance and raise health and safety standards. These activities are governed by the need to ensure the most effective use of their time and public money. Their activities are prioritised to tackle the areas of greatest risk and to ensure the delivery of their key aims.

Railways

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will include proposals for reconstructing double-tracking and new loop construction on the Waterloo to Exeter line west of Salisbury in the invitation to tender (ITT) for the new South Western franchise (a) as part of the base specification and (b) as a price option; and when he will issue the ITT.

Derek Twigg: The Invitation to Tender (ITT) for the South Western franchise was issued to bidders on 31 March 2006. Bidders will be asked to provide a priced option for operating an hourly service between London and Exeter and/or an hourly shuttle between Exeter and Axminster. Bidders have been asked to assume that the infrastructure necessary to enable these services will be funded from separate sources.

Railways

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many train stations are operated (a) by each train operating company, (b) by Network Rail and (c) by other operators.

Derek Twigg: The information requested can be found in the 8th edition of Comprehensive Guide to Britain's Railways, published by Rail Magazine.

Railways

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many stations on the rail network in England are unmanned at night, broken down by police authority area.

Derek Twigg: Details of the hours during which stations are staffed are available at www.nationalrail.co.uk.

Railways

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many penalty fare schemes have been approved for operation on trains in each of the last eight years.

Derek Twigg: The following new penalty fares schemes were approved in each year:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 199899 12 
			 2000 2 
			 2001 0 
			 2002 0 
			 2003 3 
			 2004 8 
			 2005 2 
			 2006 2

Railways

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much money was spent on repairing railways in (a) Romford and (b) Havering in each of the last 10 years.

Derek Twigg: These are operational matters for Network Rail and I have asked them to reply directly to the hon. Member.

Road Safety

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the extent to which driving while smoking is dangerous.

Stephen Ladyman: Specific research has not been undertaken. However, the Department is aware that any distraction, such as eating and drinking or smoking while driving, can be dangerous.

Road Safety

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many road deaths have been attributed to drivers (a) using their mobile phones, (b) smoking, (c) speeding and (d) not wearing seatbelts in each year since 1997.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is not available.

Road Safety

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures the Department takes to identify drivers who drive while (a) on mobile phones, (b) not wearing seatbelts and (c) speeding.

Stephen Ladyman: The enforcement of road traffic laws is a matter for the police, working in partnership with local authorities and other local enforcement agencies. Drivers who commit offences are identified by various means. Police also use the powers of section 172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988. This requires the registered keeper of a vehicle or any other person to identify a driver suspected of an offence.

Road Traffic Regulations

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the operation of the (a) Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations 1982, (b) Motor Vehicles (Speed Units on Motorways) Regulations 1973 and (c) Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1996.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is as follows.
	(a) The Motorways Traffic (England and Wales) Regulations 1982 comprise a concise set of well established provisions to facilitate safe and efficient driving and behaviour on motorways. The requirements within the regulations are conveyed to road users in simple terms in the Highway Code. In response to changing circumstances, these regulations have been subject to periodic amendment.
	(b) The Motor Vehicles (Speed Limits on Motorways) Regulations 1973 specify speed limits for certain classes of vehicles when being driven on the motorway.
	(c) The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) Regulations 1996 implemented Directive 91/439/EEC on Driving Licences. The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency ensures the operation of the regulations by issuing licences compliant with the directive specification for EC harmonised categories, and by applying to applicants in Great Britain agreed European standards of medical fitness to drive.

Road User Legislation

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received on amending (a) the London Local Authority Act 2000 and (b) the Road User (Charges and Penalty) Regulations 2001; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: Ministers and officials have engaged with a range of key stakeholders in considering changes to the London Local Authority Act and the Road User Regulations, including Transport for London and the British Vehicle Leasing Association (BVLA).
	The Department for Transport will be taking forward regulations to implement the provisions in Part 6 of the Traffic Management Act 2004 concerned with bus lanes and moving traffic offences which should rectify the problems within the London Local Authorities Act.

Royal Travel

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will report on the environmental impacts taken into account by the royal family in determining their mode of transport in the annual report on the grant-in-aid for royal travel by air and rail.

Derek Twigg: In deciding the appropriate mode of travel for any journey which is official travel, the royal household are required to have regard to the following key criteria:
	safety,
	security,
	value for money,
	length of journey,
	transport which is consistent with the requirement and dignity of the occasion,
	which represents the most effective use of the royal family's time,
	and which minimises disruption to others.

Royal Travel

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to page 103 of the grant in aid for royal travel by air and rail, annual report 200405, how many and what percentage of the royal household were of ethnic minority origin in 200405; and what positions each held.

Derek Twigg: The Department does not hold any diversity or ethnicity information about staff employed by the royal household.

Royal Travel

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the Government's policy is on the use of the Queen's helicopter by members of the royal family for private purposes.

Derek Twigg: The royal helicopter is not permitted to be used by members of the royal family for private purposes.

Royal Travel

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the occasions in 200405 when the royal train was used other than by members of the royal family.

Derek Twigg: None. All journeys made by the royal train in 200405 were made by HM the Queen, HRH the Duke of Edinburgh or HRH the Prince of Wales.

Seat Belts

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the seat belt wearing rate was in (a) Southend, (b) Essex and (c) the Metropolitan Police Area of London (i) in the last period for which figures are available and (ii) in each month since 1990.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department for Transport does not collect data on seat belt wearing rates on a monthly basis or by locality. TRL Ltd undertakes surveys on behalf of the Department twice yearly at selected sites and weighting is applied to produce a national figure. The most recently published report, LF2096, is available online at: TRL website at: http://www.trl.co.uk/store/report_detail.asp?srid=4977pid=211

Small Firms

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what definition the Department uses of a small firm.

Derek Twigg: The Department does not provide a precise definition of a small firm in its guidance, but where appropriate, refers to the definition provided by the Small Business Service. In particular, the Department collects information about its suppliers for the Small Business Service using the following categories:
	Between 1 and 50 employees
	Between 51 and 249 employees
	250 or more employees.

Sustainable Building

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of the Department's building programme budget was allocated to (a) energy self-generation and (b) water recycling measures in the last financial year.

Derek Twigg: The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency, an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport is planning to build a new print site in the Swansea area. Of the 12 million build costs, 15,000 20,000 has been allocated for the inclusion of water recycling measures.
	The Department will examine what scope there is for further action in this area as part of the review of theFramework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate and once the revised targets have been published.

Traffic Congestion

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the change in the economic costs of traffic congestion in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: None.

UK Airports

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the cost has been of adding runways to UK airports in each of the last 10 years.

Derek Twigg: Manchester airport is the only UK airport with an additional runway added in the last 10 years. Its second runway opened in February 2001 and cost 172 million to construct.

UK Airports

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many individuals flew out of each UK airport in each of the last 10 years.

Derek Twigg: Information on terminal (arriving and departing) passengers at UK airports is published by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and available on the internet at the following address:
	http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/80/airport_data/2005Annual/Table_10_3_Terminal_Pax_1995_2005.pdf

Walking/Cycling

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when the Government will publish (a) updated guidance on cycle friendly infrastructure and (b) final versions of the planned local transport notes on walking and cycling.

Derek Twigg: We intend to consult on the updated guidance on cycle friendly infrastructure by summer this year, and expect to publish by the end of the year. The local transport notes will follow in due course.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Arts Council England

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether it is Government policy that the Arts Council England introduce a continuous peer review process for those in receipt of funding; and if she will make a statement.

Tessa Jowell: Arts Council England (ACE) operates at arm's length from the Government. ACE continuously monitor their Regularly Funded Organisations to ensure public money is well spent and that their objectives are met. In doing this, ACE has sought to minimise administrative burdens.

British Museum

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 16 February 2006, Official Report, column 2196W, on the British Museum, what the reasons were for the changes in spending between 2001 and 2005.

David Lammy: The changes in British Museum expenditure on acquisitions in the years indicated arose as a result of donations and bequests of items and collections from third parties. These were:
	
		 million
		
			  Total value of acquisitions Of which donated/bequeathed items 
		
		
			 200001 (5)9.725 7.81 
			 200102 17.847 14.25 
			 200203 2.238 0.95 
			 200304 6.578 2.75 
			 200405 1.163 1.13 
		
	
	(5)This figure replaces the one of 9.275 million which was given in the answer of 16 February 2006.
	The major donated/bequeathed items, in terms of their valuations, were:
	200001a collection of jewellery;
	200102a collection of Nubian lithics, ceramics and burial remains, a bronze trident and image, a calligraphy collection, a collection of jewellery, a coin collection;
	200203a ceramic art collection and a collection of etchings and drawings;
	200304a collection of modern prints and drawings.
	Further descriptions of these items may be found inthe British Museum Annual Reports and Annual Reviews, which are on the Museum's website: http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/corporate/index.html

Capita

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what contracts her Department has signed with Capita Group plc in each year since 1997.

David Lammy: DCMS has placed the following contracts with Capita Group plc:
	2001Framework agreement for consultancy services to support quinquennial reviews of NDPBs
	2005Healthcare Services with Capita Health Solutions following acquisition of BMI Health Services

Capita

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what meetings (a) she and (b) Ministers in her Department have held with directors and senior executives of (i) Capita Group plc and (ii) its subsidiaries since 1 January 2004; and whether (A) Capita Group plc and (B) its subsidiaries have provided input (1) in writing and (2) in person to policy discussions in her Department since 1st January 2004.

David Lammy: Capita Group plc has a large number of trading subsidiaries and this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Casinos

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture,Media and Sport if she will list the dates of her meetings with foreign casino operators and their representatives.

Richard Caborn: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 20 December 2005, Official Report, columns 265556W, to the hon. Member for North-East Cambridgeshire (Mr. Moss). Relevant meetings were listed in the earlier reply. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had no further meetings with overseas casino operators since then.

Children's Hospices

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many children's hospices received lottery funding in each of the last five years; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: Since 2001 24 children's hospices have received funding from the Big Lottery Fund, which is the operating name of the National Lottery Charities Board and the New Opportunities Fund, working jointly together.

Digital Television

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the procedure is for setting up a television channel on the digital network; and if she will make a statement.

James Purnell: To set up a television channel on a Digital Terrestrial Television Multiplex, a Digital Programme Service licence is required from Ofcom. To set up a channel on a digital cable network or a satellite platform, a Television Licensable Content Service Licence is required. The licence holder then has to negotiate with one of the platform operators for carriage of the channel.

Energy Efficiency

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to increase energy efficiency within her Department; and if she will make a statement.

James Purnell: The Department is committed to achieve the targets under the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate Part E Energy. The targets include energy efficient measures and energy clauses in estate management contracts.
	In order to achieve these targets the Department has developed an energy strategy. This identifies potential savings through effective procurement; monitoring and targeting our consumption by analysing data; carrying out energy surveys of usage; capital investment in energy saving measures such as time controls; and an awareness campaign amongst staff led by the Department's team of environmental champions.
	The Department is also taking advantage of the planned refurbishment of its Cockspur Street offices to incorporate energy efficient measures such as passive infra red lighting controls.
	The Department is supplied by 100 per cent. renewable energy and is seeking energy efficiency accreditation through The Carbon Trust.

Engagements

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many properties (a) owned and (b) managed by English Heritage (i) the Secretary of State, (ii) the Minister for Sport, (iii) the Minister for Culture and (iv) the Minister for Media and Tourism have visited in an official capacity in the last five years.

David Lammy: Due to the heavy pressure on her diary, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, has not been able to visit an English Heritage property in an official capacity. She has visited Kenwood House in a private capacity. This property is owned and managed by English Heritage.
	As Minister for Culture, I have visited five properties managed by English Heritage. My hon. predecessor, Lord McIntosh of Haringey, visited five properties managed by English Heritage between 2005 and 2003. Between 2003 and 2001, Baroness Blackstone, Minister of State for the Arts, visited four properties managed by English Heritage. Of these one is also owned by English Heritage.
	As yet, the Minister for Sport, and the Minister for Creative Industries and Tourism have not had the opportunity to visit any property owned or managed by English Heritage in their official capacities.

Licensing

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many new licences have been granted in Swindon under the Licensing Act 2003; and what percentage were 24-hour licences.

James Purnell: This information is held by local licensing authorities.

Licensing

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether it is her policy that premises granted grandfather rights under the Licensing Act 2003 should be guaranteed extended New Year's Eve opening hours notwithstanding the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2005; and if she will make a statement.

James Purnell: Those premises which, prior to 6 August 2005, applied to convert their old licence into a licence under the Licensing Act 2003, were permitted to carry over automatically such extended trading hours as were previously permitted under that licence. For those businesses and clubs engaged in the supply of alcohol for consumption on the premises, apart from those where restriction orders were in force, this included an unbroken period of up to 36-hours from 11.00am on New Year's Eve which formed part of permitted hours under the Licensing Act 1964.
	However, where applicants also sought to vary the converted hours in such a way that they did not cover the 36-hour period, they should have included any additional hours for New Year's Eve in their application.

Licensing

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what guidance her Department has issued in relation to New Year's Eve opening hours since the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2005; and if she will make a statement.

James Purnell: Since the Licensing Act 2003 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2005 came into force on 24 November 2005, no specific guidance has been published by the Department on this matter. However, my officials have taken steps to alert the trade to the possible use of Temporary Event Notices (TENs) where these can assist with particular needs.

Licensing

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether premises which have opened since the implementation of the Licensing Act 2003 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2005 are required to request in their premises licence application extended licensing hours for new year's eve; and if she will make a statement.

James Purnell: Those premises which, prior to 6 August 2005, submitted applications for a licence to carry out licensable activities, and which sought 'grandfather rights' for extended new year's eve opening hours, are guaranteed those extended new year's eve opening hours after the coming into force of the Licensing Act 2003 (Consequential Amendments) Order 2005 on 24 November 2005.
	However, with effect from 6 August 2005, any new application under the Licensing Act 2003 would need to include all of the hours for which the applicant would wish to undertake licensable activities, including the sale of alcohol during new year's eve.

London Bombings Memorial

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport who will design the memorial for the victims of the 7 July bombings in London; and when it is scheduled to be erected.

Tessa Jowell: The Government are committed to providing a fitting memorial for the victims of the 7 July bombings in London. We are currently consulting bereaved families about the sort of memorial they would like.
	Once we know their views, we will go through a tendering process to recruit a designer and will work with that designer to establish a timescale for the erection of the memorial.

National Lottery

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment has been made of availability of Lottery funding and grants for projects not related to the Olympics for each year up to 2012 for each London borough; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: Lottery funding is awarded in response to external applications, and distributors will not yet know the number of applications from London boroughs up to 2012, nor the amount that might be sought. It would not, therefore, be possible to carry out such an assessment.
	We expect the non-Olympic good causes to receive up to 5 per cent. less in Lottery income, as a result of sales diversion over the eight-year period from 2005 to 2013, than they might otherwise have received. In addition, a total of up to 410 million may be needed from the proceeds of non-Olympic Lottery games between 200910 and 201213.

National Sports Foundation

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much private investment has been secured for the establishment of the National Sports Foundation; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The National Sports Foundation will be launched in April and will be tasked with leveraging new private investment to match that allocated by the Exchequer. No private investment has yet been secured.

Olympic Games

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans the Government have to improve transport access to the 2012 Olympic site; and what funding will be required to do so.

Richard Caborn: The London 2012 Candidature File submitted to the International Olympic Committee in November 2004 set out the plans for transport provision in connection with the proposed site of the Olympic Park.
	Provision has been made within the 2.375 billion public sector funding package to fund Olympic related transport schemes.

Olympic Sports (Sponsorship)

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the total value of the corporate sponsorship of Olympic sports has been at (a) elite and (b) grassroots level in the UK in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The National Governing Bodies for Olympic sports have raised, and continue to raise, commercial sponsorship to benefit their elite and grassroots programmes and activities. The Government do not hold this information centrally.
	In addition to the commercial sponsorship generated by the sports themselves, Sportsmatch, which was established in 1992 and is Exchequer funded through Sport England, has raised commercial sponsorship for grassroots Olympic and non-Olympic sports. An estimate of the amount raised since 1997 for Olympic sports only is as follows:
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 199798 1.8 
			 199899 1.8 
			 19992000 1.9 
			 200001 2.2 
			 200102 1.8 
			 200203 1.9 
			 200304 2.3 
			 200405 1.9

Olympic Sports (Sponsorship)

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate her Department has made of the total value of corporate sponsorship of Olympic sports at (a) elite and (b) grassroots level in the UK in each year until 2012; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The Department has not made any precise estimates of the total value of corporate sponsorship at elite and grassroots level. However, commercial sponsorship is expected to contribute in the region of 100 million between now and 2012 in supporting British elite athletes. Further discussions are taking place about how much of this will need to be raised each year to supplement the 200 million allocated to elite sport by the Exchequer, as announced in the Budget.
	The Chancellor of the Exchequer also announced that the Government have allocated 34.5 million over the next two years to the National Sports Foundation (NSF) in England. This will play an important role in raising commercial sponsorship for grassroots sport. The NSF has been challenged to match the Government's allocation with private investment.
	Sportsmatch, established in 1992 and Exchequer funded through Sport England, will continue to raise commercial sponsorship for grassroots projects, across Olympic and non-Olympic sports, to a maximum award of 50,000.
	In addition, the National Governing Bodies for Olympic sports raise commercial sponsorship to benefit all aspects of their sport.

Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her Department's employer contribution rates to the principal civil service pension scheme are; what assumed rate of return underlies those contribution rates; and what the contribution rate would be if the assumed rate of return was in line with current redemption yield on index-linked gilts.

David Lammy: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Murphy), on 29 March 2006, Official Report, columns 103031W.

Queen's Birthday

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to obtain sponsorship for expenditure on events for the Queen's 80th birthday.

David Lammy: DCMS is not organising any special events for the Queen's 80th birthday. As usual, DCMS will arrange for Union flags to be flown in the Mall for Trooping of the Colour (Queen's Birthday Parade) which marks the Queen's official birthday and the costs will be funded by the Department.

Schools Olympics

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport by what criteria the location of the annual Schools' Olympics will be determined; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: Events in future years are planned to be held in Northern Ireland, Wales and the North, South and Midlands of England. It is envisaged that the likely location for the Games in 2011 will be London. The exact criteria have yet to be determined.

Schools Olympics

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what sports will be included in the Schools Olympics; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The first UK School Games will be run by the Youth Sports Trust. They will include athletics, swimming, gymnastics, table tennis and fencing plus disability events in athletics and swimming. It is envisaged that more events will be added to the games after 2007.

Schools Olympics

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans her Department has to reimburse schools competing in the Schools' Olympics for the costs of (a) travel, (b) accommodation and (c) subsistence arising from the event; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The Youth Sport Trust (YST) is responsible for staging the first UK School Games in Glasgow in September 2006. All travel, accommodation and subsistence for competitors and team officials will be fully covered and has been included in the budget for this event

Schools Olympics

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions her Department has held with representatives of (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools on the (i) timing of and (ii) choice of sports to be included in the Schools' Olympics; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The Youth Sport Trust (YST) is responsible for staging the first UK School Games in Glasgow in September 2006. Therefore there have been no direct communications to date between schools representatives and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Sports Facilities

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment her Department has made of the value for money of public private partnerships to regenerate grassroots sports facilities; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: Access to good quality sports facilities is essential if we are to encourage people to lead healthier, more active lives. In ensuring that we meet the challenge, it is essential that we provide a climate in which the potential weight of private sector investment can be brought to bear, including through public private partnerships (PPP). In 2005, a total of 66.5 million was awarded in Private Finance Initiative (PFI) credits by DCMS for community facilities. To date a total of 182.17 million of PFI credits have been awarded to 14 local authorities for sport and leisure facilities. The 4ps are currently undertaking a project to evaluate the success of sport and leisure PFI projects. This is due to be published in May 2006. In addition, the Audit Commission has undertaken a study into local authority sports facilities management which, among other things, looks at the effectiveness of PPP in delivering local authority leisure services.

Sports Facilities

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what representations her Department has received on public private partnerships to regenerate grassroots sports facilities; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: Access to good quality sports facilities is essential if we are to encourage people to lead healthier, more active lives. In ensuring that we meet the challenge, it is essential that we provide a climate in which the potential weight of private sector investment can be brought to bear, including through public private partnerships. In 2005, 30 local authorities applied for PFI credits, 14 of which were for community ports and leisure facilities.

Sports Facilities

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps her Department has taken to encourage (a) independent schools, (b) private companies and (c) other non-public bodies to allow the community use of their sports facilities; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: There is already significant community access to privately owned sports facilities and the Government are keen to promote this further. Through the National School Sport Strategy, we are encouraging links between independent schools and the network of School Sport Partnerships. This includes, where appropriate, the sharing of facilities. Both Sport England and local authorities are looking at ways of building community access into their plans for sports facilities at the local level. Access to good quality sports facilities is essential if we are to encourage people to lead healthier, more active lives. This is why we have a commitment that people should be no more than 20 minutes away (walking distance in urban areas and driving distance in rural areas) from a range of good quality facilities. The Active Places database lists publicly available sports facilities across the whole of England covering both public and private sector facilities.

Sportsmatch

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much private investment has been secured for Sportsmatch for each year since its creation; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: The following table details the amounts of private investment into sport each year through Sportsmatch since 1992.
	The total of 45 million has been generated by approximately 35 million of awards from Sportsmatch funds.
	The higher figures for 199394, 199495 and 199596 reflect that at that time Sportsmatch could co-fund, up to 75,000, capital as well as revenue projects and the commercial input was often substantially higher than the Sportsmatch award.
	A reduction in grant to Sportsmatch in 1995 to 1996 led to an adjustment in their rules to reduce their maximum award to 50,000 and to focus on revenue rather than capital projects.
	Commercial investment in each year has continued to exceed the value of Sportsmatch awards.
	
		
			 1 April to 31 March Amount of sponsorship () 
		
		
			 199293 1,278,884.07 
			 199394 5,080,902.10 
			 199495 4,066,344.36 
			 199596 4,387,172.71 
			 199697 3,186,843.24 
			 199798 2,842,996.80 
			 199899 3,678,694.89 
			 19992000 3,381,687.38 
			 200001 4,125,149.58 
			 200102 3,224,956.37 
			 200203 3,306,904.89 
			 200304 3,875,343.81 
			 200405 3,127,207.98

Windsor Castle

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to increase tourism to Windsor Castle.

James Purnell: My Department funds the work of VisitBritain in promoting tourism, which includes Windsor Castle, to both the domestic and international markets.
	VisitBritain promotes tourism to Windsor Castle as part of the rich historic landscape and as one of a number of attractions that Windsor itself has to offer.
	Windsor Castle is ranked the first 'Must See' in Windsor on the visitbritain.com website and the first of 'things to see and do' on the enjoyengland.com website.
	Windsor Castle, Windsor Great Park and the Royal Landscape are currently promoted domestically in the 'castles' pages of enjoyEngland's 'great ideas 2006' brochure.

Windsor Castle

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people visited Windsor Castle in each of the last eight years.

David Lammy: The numbers of paying visitors to Windsor Castle Precincts for the past eight financial years are as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 199798 1,253,000 
			 199899 1,439,000 
			 19992000 1,224,000 
			 200001 1,094,000 
			 200102 876,000 
			 200203 935,000 
			 200304 858,000 
			 200405 914,000

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Afghanistan

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the level of compliance of Afghan criminal law with international human rights treaties.

Douglas Alexander: We have not made an independent UK assessment. However, the Justice for All Action Plan jointly drafted by the Government of Afghanistan and the international community provides the basis on which the Afghan government will reform and strengthen the justice sector over the next 12 years. This Plan is divided into five areas of activity: law reform, institution-building, access to justice programs, traditional justice and co-ordination. The UK and the international community will continue to monitor progress in this field as the plan is put into effect.
	The UK has just contributed US $500,000 towards its implementation for financial year 200607.
	The Action Plan is available at: http://www.af/resources/aaca/cg+adf/justice_cg/LT_Gap%20(l) .pdf.

Ascension Island

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 13 March 2006, Official Report, column 1892W, on Ascension Island, what the reasons were for the changes in the numbers of entry permits granted between 1999 and 2005.

Douglas Alexander: There is no annual quota for entry permits to Ascension Island. Changes in numbers, year on year, are a combination of differences in the numbers of people entering Ascension Island, more people transiting to and from the Falklands and St.Helena, different numbers of cruise ship visitors and fluctuating employment with the users.

Ascension Island

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many fishery enforcement patrols were carried out in Ascension Island waters in (a) 2004 and (b) 2005; and what the results of the patrols were.

Douglas Alexander: No fishery enforcement patrols were carried out in Ascension Island waters in 2004 or 2005.

BAE Systems

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) he has and (b) his officials have had with (i) the Attorney General and (ii) his officials regarding the Serious Fraud Office investigations into the activities of BAE Systems in Saudi Arabia.

Douglas Alexander: It would not be appropriate to comment on whether or not any such discussions have taken place.

Belarus

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the number of political activists detained by authorities in Belarus.

Jack Straw: We know of six political activists in long term detention in Belarus. The Belarusian authorities announced on 29 March that approximately 500 people had been detained following the elections. Of these: 288 were sentenced to 10 days administrative arrest; 112 sentenced to 15 days administrative arrest; 53 were minors released without charge: and 21 were foreign nationals, 14 of whom were sentenced from 314 days administrative arrest. Unofficial sources suggest however that the number of arrests may be significantly higher, with estimates for the total number of arrests ranging from 7001200, possibly including foreign nationals. It is not clear how many of these remain in detention. This number includes Aleksander Kozulin (now released), an opposition leader and presidential candidate, political activists, members of non governmental organisations, journalists and members of the public who were protesting about the results of an election which was not free and fair. It is not clear how many of those recently arrested remain in detention.

British Diplomatic Posts

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in which embassies and high commissions he is (a) reducing diplomatic and other staff and (b) deploying additional staff; and what the reasons for the changes in staff deployed are in each case.

Jack Straw: I apologise to the hon. Member for the delay in replying. Resources at embassies, high commissions and other Foreign and Commonwealth Office posts overseas are regularly shifted in response to changing priorities. Changes may be made in response to local factors, but the overall approach is guided by the UK's International Priorities. This has led to increases in resources for visa and consular work and also a move of staff to key posts outside Europe, including China, India and Pakistan, while also meeting new demands in Iraq and Afghanistan. We have deployed new region-wide advisers on issues such as conflict and energy.
	A fairly crude but still time consuming analysis of posts showing a change in UK based staff numbers since 1 April 2005 indicates that 148 have had a net change in total staff. Other posts may also have had changes in staffing (i.e. increases in one area offset by reductions elsewhere) but these could not be picked up. I am sending the hon. Member a copy of the details available from this exercise and placing a copy in the Library. It should be emphasised that this data is provisional.

Camp Ashraf

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 29 March 2006, Official Report, columns 10289W, on Mujahedin-e Khalq, what the current international status is of members of the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organisation at Camp Ashraf in Iraq.

Kim Howells: It would be necessary to consider the circumstances of individual residents at Camp Ashraf in Iraq to determine their current international status in Iraq. The Government have made no judgment on the international status of any individual at Camp Ashraf. The Mujahedin-e Khalq Organisation is, however, a proscribed terrorist organization in the United Kingdom.

Cantaxx

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he has received official hospitality from Canatxx Ventures Limited, Canatxx UK and its associated companies in the last four years.

Jack Straw: holding answer 27 March 2006
	No. The hon. Member might however wish to be aware that Canatxx was one of the sponsors of a dinner in April 2004 to mark my (then) 25 years as Member for Blackburn. My Department was not involved in any way in this event.

Capita Group

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have held with directors and senior executives of (i) Capita Group plc and (ii) its subsidiaries since 1 January 2004; and whether (A) Capita Group plc and (B) its subsidiaries have provided (1) in writing and (2) input in person to policy discussions in his Department since 1 January 2004.

Ian Pearson: There has been one meeting between myself and Veredus, a Capita subsidiary, on 17 October 2005 to discuss the recruitment of the new chief executive of UK Trade and Investment which they were managing on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for Trade and Industry. We have no records of any other meetings with Ministers. Information on other contacts between the Department and Capita, or its subsidiaries, cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

China

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the treatment of Falun Gong membersin China, with particular reference to Sujiatun Camp.

Ian Pearson: The Government have seen no evidence to substantiate the reports circulating about the treatment of Falun Gong practitioners in Sujiatun camp. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied these allegations. We continue to raise our concerns about human rights abuses of Falun Gong adherents in other contexts.

Colombia

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government have asked the Austrian presidency to invite a representative of the Office of the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights in Colombia to make a presentation on that Office's recommendations to the EU Council of Ministers in advance of the UN Human Rights Commission meeting on that country.

Douglas Alexander: Following a meeting between the British and Irish non-governmental organisation coalition, ABColombia (ABC), and Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials on 15 February, the FCO relayed to the Austrian presidency of the EU the ABC request for a senior official from the Colombia office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to be invited to attend a meeting of the EU Working Group on Latin America, Committee of the Council for Latin America (COLAT), or the Council of Ministers. The UK believes that there is merit in periodic briefings of this nature as an important means of informing COLAT's work, particularly in the run-up to significant events in the UN's human rights calendar.

Colombia

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) unilateral and (b) multilateral action the Government plan to take to encourage the Colombian Government to implement a legal framework which (i) conforms tointernational standards and (ii) is in line with UN recommendations.

Douglas Alexander: We have regular discussions with the Government of Colombia, both bilaterally and as part of the EU and other groupings, about these issues. We have consistently urged the Colombians to adopt a comprehensive legal framework for the process of disarmament, demobilisation and re-integration (DDK) of the illegal armed groups. In October 2005, the EU General Affairs Council concluded that the adoption by the Colombian Congress of the Justice and Peace Law was a significant development, since it provides an overall legal framework for DDK in Colombia. The Council noted that it had many concerns over the law, but it believed that if the law was effectively and transparently implemented it would make a positive contribution to the search for peace in Colombia. We will continue to work with our partners to help the Government of Colombia to address the challenges these issues present. For example, EU Missions in Bogota are currently examining their project assistance to Colombia to ensure that it complements the aim of effective and transparent implementation of the Justice and Peace Law and is consistent with UN human rights recommendations.

Colombia

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to work with (a) civil society and (b) the Catholic Church to monitor the conduct of elections in Colombia, with particular reference to the Presidential elections in May.

Douglas Alexander: Our Embassy in Bogota consulted with a wide range of civil society and other groups, including EU partners, in monitoring the lead up to and the conduct of the Colombian Congressional Elections on 12 March. We will continue to do so for the Presidential Elections in May, including engagement with the Catholic Church.

Colombia

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government have taken (a) while President of the EU and (b) subsequently to ensure mid-term monitoring of the implementation of the UN Commission on Human Rights' recommendations to the Colombian Government.

Douglas Alexander: As President of the EU, the UK was instrumental in drawing up the EU Ministerial Council Conclusions of October 2005 that encouraged the Government of Colombia to consider a mid-year review of progress in implementing the UN human rights recommendations with its partners. During our Presidency, our Embassy in Bogota organised meetings for EU Member States with the Colombia office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to review progress on all of its human rights recommendations arising from its annual reports. More recently, we and other partners have continued to meet with Government representatives to look at how efforts to implement these recommendations are being taken forward. We will continue to take this work forward with like-minded partners.

Colombia

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the EU is taking, further to the Council conclusions of 3 October 2005, to ensure close monitoring of the implementation of UN recommendations on Colombia.

Douglas Alexander: The EU regularly engages with the Colombian Government and other partners, including the UN and civil society, over the need to ensure that the UN human rights recommendations are implemented. The EU is actively involved in a working group that has been established in Bogota for this purpose. The EU Council Conclusions set out EU policy and support to the Government of Colombia, and included reference to the implementation of the recommendations. The EU will continue to look for ways of achieving this, including re-aligning Commission and Member States's project assistance to match the recommendations. The EU will also keep progress in taking forward the Council Conclusions under regular review.

Contracts (Voluntary Sector)

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many contracts are let by his Department to voluntary sector organisations; how many of those are let on an annual basis; and how many of those had received finalised contracts for 200607 by 31 March.

Jack Straw: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's accounts system does not differentiate between voluntary sector organisations and other organisations in its supplier records. The information could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to obtain from the Indian high commissioner in London replies to the letters sent to the high commissioner on 4 January 2006, 9 February 2006 and 7 March 2006 by the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mr. G.K. Singh.

Jack Straw: The Indian high commission wrote directly to Mr. Singh on 8 March 2006 and sent the letter by recorded delivery. A copy of the letter will be sent by my officials to my right hon. Friend.

Cuba

Peter Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the contacts his Department has had with the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba.

Douglas Alexander: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has had no contacts with the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba.

Cuba

Peter Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the (a) state of and (b) prospects for the UK's relations with Cuba; and what his present policy is on Cuba.

Douglas Alexander: The UK's policy towards Cuba, which is shared by our EU partners, is set out in the EU Common Position of 1996. The Common Position seeks to encourage a peaceful transition to pluralist democracy in Cuba. We see a relationship based on constructive engagement as the best way to achieve this.
	The UK co-operates successfully with Cuba in a number of fields, including anti-drug trafficking, tourism, trade and cultural affairs. However, we are concerned by Cuba's human rights record and we continue to raise our concerns with the Cuban authorities. My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, who is responsible for relations with Cuba, most recently held discussions with Cuban Vice Foreign Minister Caballero on 6 March.
	The UK's desire is to further develop our relations with Cuba, but full co-operation between the EU and Cuba is dependent on Cuba demonstrating measurable improvements in human rights and political freedoms.

Cuba

Peter Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his position will be on Cuba in the European Union's review of its common position on that country.

Douglas Alexander: The UK's policy towards Cuba, which is shared with our EU partners, is set out in the EU common position of 1996. The main objective of the common position is to encourage a peaceful transition to pluralist democracy in Cuba.
	We will maintain a close dialogue with our EU partners ahead of the review of the EU common position in June. In that context, we will continue to monitor the political and human rights situation in Cuba closely and will seek a consensus view with our EU partners.

Cuba

Peter Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government have taken to promote closer cultural, sporting and trading links with Cuba.

Douglas Alexander: We maintain close co-operation in areas that encourage trade, tourism, education, sport, science and cultural links between the UK and Cuba. The Cuba Initiative continues to develop trade and investment links and undertook another successful mission to Havana in November 2005.
	The British Embassy and the British Council in Havana recently hosted a successful British Film Festival in Cuba in November 2005. Plans are being drawn up for co-operation between Cuban and British athletes for the 2012 Olympic games. Since 2003, the UK and Cuba has had a bilateral sports memorandum of understanding, allowing for training visits and exchanges in boxing, judo and cricket.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the EU has to send further troops to the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and what discussions he has had with other EU Foreign Ministers on this issue.

Ian Pearson: On 23 March the European Council approved the concept of an EU military operation to support the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during the electoral period in the DRC. The exact nature and structure of the EU force remains under discussion, although preliminary planning has begun.
	We have discussed this issue frequently with EU colleagues, including among Foreign Ministers at the 20 March General Affairs and External Relations Council. We welcome the EU decision as part of wider efforts to ensure a secure and stable environment for free and fair elections.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Ian Pearson: The human rights situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) remains poor. Congolese civilians, particularly in eastern DRC, continue to suffer abuses committed by militias, foreign-armed groups and ill-disciplined and poorly controlled Congolese army soldiers. A climate of impunity prevails. Harassment and physical attacks on human rights defenders continue. The transitional government still does not demonstrate commitment to freedom of expression.
	The UK and international partners frequently remind the Congolese authorities of the need to protect civilians from such abuses and to respect freedom of expression. The EU's work on reform of the army and its pay structure should also help increase the discipline of Congolese soldiers.
	We believe the recent transfer of former militia leader Thomas Lubanga, the first indictee to be transferred to the International Criminal Court in The Hague, sends a strong signal that grave human rights abuses will not be tolerated.

Departmental Staff

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many and what proportion of (a) staff and (b) new staff employed in (i) his Department and (ii) each of the agencies for which he has responsibility were registered as disabled in each of the last three years for which data is available.

Jack Straw: The Cabinet Office collects and publishes annually statistical information on the civil service by Department. This includes data on the number of staff in departments who have declared a disability.
	Declaration of a disability is voluntary.
	The latest available information at April 2004 is available in the Library of the House and on the civil service website at the following addresses:
	http://wwwcivilservice.gov.uk/management/statistics/publications/xls/disability_apr04_4nov04.xls
	for data relating to 1 April 2004, and
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/statistics/archive/index.asp
	for previous reporting periods.
	At April 2005, 189 (3 per cent.) Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff had declared a disability. The latest available figures for 2006 (as at February) are that 179 (3 per cent.) staff have declared a disability.
	The number and proportion of new FCO staff who have declared a disability for the last three years is:
	
		
			 1 March to 28 February Number of staff As a percentage of new staff joining that year 
		
		
			 20052006 8 2 
			 20042005 7 2 
			 20032004 8 3

Departmental Staff

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much his Department spent on private schooling for the children of its staff based in the UK in each year since 1997.

Jack Straw: Since 1997 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has spent the following amounts on fees for private schooling in the UK for children of UK-based officers:
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 199798 10.5 
			 199899 10.5 
			 19992000(6) 6.8 
			 200001(6) 13 
			 200102 13.8 
			 200203 15.9 
			 200304 17.3 
			 200405 17.5 
		
	
	(6)These figures cover a period of moving from cash to resource based accounts and may contain discrepancies.
	It is a condition of employment that members of the Diplomatic Service must be prepared to serve anywhere in the world at any time during their career, sometimes at very short notice. Those with children also have the legal obligation as parents to ensure that their children receive a full-time education from the age of 5 years. The FCO's provisions for children's education are intended to help staff meet these potentially conflicting obligations.
	Children who accompany their parents on postings overseas are expected to use free state schooling if it is available locally and is of a suitable standard. But at posts where no suitable schooling is available free-of-charge locally, education fees can be refunded to enable children to receive the education they would be entitled to in the UK.
	With staff moving every 1248 months and education facilities at Posts' locations overseas varying, continuity of education can be problematic particularly during the important exam years. The FCO's provisions address this problem by enabling children to board at school in the UK while their parents remain subject to the worldwide mobility obligation.

Departmental Televisions

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many television sets are in operation in the Department (a) in total, (b) in Minister's private offices and (c) in each office building in the Department; and how many television licences are held by the Department.

Jack Straw: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) does not categorise expenditure down to this level of detail in its accounts. In addition, the FCO delegates budgets for such equipment to individual internal departments and does not therefore hold a centralised record of such purchases. The information requested for the whole of the Department, including our posts abroad, could therefore be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	For Private Offices, a total of 15 televisions are held, including seven in my suite of offices, including those of the special advisers and security attachment. There are two in each of the other Private Offices.
	The Television Licensing Agency have advised my officials that, where a Government Department uses televisions for business purposes, they are exempt from the need for a television licence. Where televisions are used for recreational purposes, they need a single licence for each site at which they are located. The FCO therefore holds two television licences, one for the site at Hanslope Park and one for the main building site in King Charles Street.

Diplomatic Posts

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why the British embassy in Antananarivo, Madagascar was closed in August 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: I refer the hon. Member to the statement given by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 15 December 2004, Official Report, columns 137140WS), covering the closure of several embassies and high commissions, including that of the British embassy in Madagascar.

Diplomatic Staff (Spain)

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) diplomatic staff and (b) locally engaged staff are based in (i) Alicante, (ii) Barcelona, (iii) Bilbao, (iv) Ibiza, (v) Las Palmas, (vi) Malaga, (vii) Palma, (viii)Seville and (ix) Tenerife.

Jack Straw: holding answer 30 March 2006
	Numbers employed at posts can fluctuate. The average number of diplomatic and locally engaged staff employed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office at each of the posts requested, in the current financial year is as follows:
	
		
			 Post UK based staff Locally engaged staff 
		
		
			 Alicante 0 6.3 
			 Barcelona 2 16.7 
			 Bilbao 0 6 
			 Ibiza 0 3.4 
			 Las Palmas 0 7 
			 Malaga 0 9 
			 Palma 0 7 
			 Seville 0 2 
			 Tenerife 0 5

EU Constitution

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what parts of the draft EU constitution the Government support.

Douglas Alexander: The Government made clear their support for the draft constitutional treaty in the Inter-Governmental Conference in 2004. The Government's focus is now on delivering the policy priorities agreed at the Hampton Court summit.

Gibraltar

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in talks with Spain and Gibraltar regarding the Gibraltar constitution.

Douglas Alexander: I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's statement to the House on 27 March 2006, Official Report, columns 4446WS. His Joint Statement with the Chief Minister and his letter to the Spanish Foreign Minister are both available in the Library of the House.

Guide to the European Union

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the total cost was of (a) producing and (b) distributing the revised Guide to the European Union.

Douglas Alexander: The 200506 budget allocation for producing and distributing the Guide is 80,000. Final costings will be available following launch and distribution.

Hamas

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions (a) British and (b) EU officials have had with representatives of Hamas since January 2006.

Jack Straw: There have been no contacts between UK officials and Hamas since January 2006. We are not aware of any EU contacts with Hamas since January 2006.

HMS Sussex

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (a) Spain and (b) Gibraltar concerning the treasures of HMS Sussex.

Douglas Alexander: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not held any discussions with either Spain or Gibraltar about The Sussex.

Holy See

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 16 March 2006, Official Report, column 2462W, about the Holy See, if he will place in the Library (a) a copy of the internal review of the embassy in 2005 and (b) copies of correspondence between his Department and the Holy See about the relocation of the British embassy; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The internal review of the embassy referred to by the hon. Member is an internal document produced to help formulate and develop policy decisions. As such, it would not be appropriate to place a copy in the Library of the House.
	The correspondence requested by the hon. Member constitute a confidential exchange between two Governments. As such, it would be inappropriate to place copies in the Library of the House.

Honours

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the individuals who are not UK citizens who, since May 2005, have been awarded honours, indicating in each case the (a) date of announcement, (b) honour in question and (c) reason for the award.

Jack Straw: Yes. As the information requested is lengthy, it has been placed in the Library of the House.
	As honorary awards, i.e. to citizens of countries where Her Majesty the Queen is not Head of State, are not formally announced, the date of the Queen's formal approval of such awards has been given.

Iraq

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many detainees in Iraq have been (a) charged and (b) tried and convicted of offences connected to the insurgency.

Kim Howells: This is a matter for the Iraqi judicial authorities. We are making inquiries with the Central Criminal Court of Iraq. My officials will write to the hon. Member once we have received a reply.

Isle of Man/Overseas Territories

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to attract businesses to (a) the Isle of Man and (b) UK Overseas Territories.

Douglas Alexander: Economic and business development in the Overseas Territories (OTs) and the Crown Dependencies, including the Isle of Man, is the responsibility of the Governments of the Territories and the Crown Dependencies. Most of the OTs and also the Crown Dependencies have agencies that are responsible for inward investment promotion.
	The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has an Economic Adviser, based in its Overseas Territories Department and a Regional Financial Services Adviser based in the Caribbean. Both offer general economic and financial services development advice to all the OTs. The FCO also has an Overseas Territories Programme Fund. Part of this fund is used to support the economic diversification of the OTs, and in recent years has funded telecommunications liberalisation initiatives and small business development.
	The Isle of Man is not part of the UK and is responsible for its own trade/export promotion.

Israel

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreignand Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Israeli authorities on behalf of Ziyad Hmeidan, being held under administrative detention.

Kim Howells: We continue to monitor the situation with regard to all Palestinian prisoners held in administrative detention. We will continue to raise our concerns with the Israeli authorities. We have no plans to raise Ziyad Hmeidan's case with the Israeli authorities. Our ambassador in Tel Aviv last discussed the issue of Palestinian prisoners with the Israeli government on 22 March.
	The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) currently have access to Israeli prisons and detention centres in Israel and the West Bank. The ICRC monitors conditions in Israeli prisons on a regular basis.

Israel

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the election of the Kadima party to power in Israel.

Kim Howells: As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said
	I congratulate Ehud Olmert and the Kadima party on their election victory. Kadima's victory changes the shape of Israeli politics. It is an extraordinary personal achievement for Ehud Olmert. I look forward to meeting him soon to discuss his plans to take the peace process forward. I urge all parties to pursue a path of positive engagement as set out by the Quartet (EU, US, UN and Russia).

Jericho Prison

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government had advance knowledge of the Israeli raid on Jericho prison following the withdrawal of the British Independent Monitors.

Kim Howells: Israel had made clear that it would not allow the detainees involved in the assassination of the Israeli Tourism Minister, Rehevam Ze'evi, to go free. However, the Israeli authorities did not discuss the details of its operational plan with us. We also did not share the details of our withdrawal plan with the Israeli authorities. The first time the Israeli and the Palestinian authorities knew of the exact date of our withdrawal was on 14 March when we had withdrawn our monitors.

Jericho Prison

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received in relation to the termination of the UK mission at Jericho Prison.

Kim Howells: On 14 March, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary received representations from the Austrian Foreign Minister. My right hon. Friend theForeign Secretary explained that in the absence of the Palestinian Authority responding to our requests for increased security we had to withdraw our monitors to ensure their safety.

Kashmir

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment he has made of the actions by Indian military personnel in Kashmir in relation to human rights of the population; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The UK continues to be concerned by credible reports of human rights abuses in Indian-administered Kashmir, including by Indian security forces. We are aware of the incident in Handwara on 22 February 2006 in which four young Kashmiris were killed, allegedly by the Indian army. We note that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said on 25 February 2006 that he was grieved by the incident and at the loss in innocent lives. He also said that he had asked the army to take remedial measures so that such incidents do not recur in the future. We understand that on 1 March 2006, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad announced a judicial probe into the killings.
	The UK welcomes the continued reduction in hostility between Pakistan and India and applauds the two countries' shared commitment to the ongoing Composite Dialogue process, whose third round began on 17 January 2006. We remain in regular contact with both governments and we will continue to encourage India and Pakistan to continue to seek to resolve all of their outstanding issues, including over Kashmir. We believe that this process will advance the human rights situation in Indian-administered Kashmir.
	The UK deplores the continued militant violence in Indian-administered Kashmir. There can be no justification for those who seek to influence people through intimidation and brutality and we condemn all acts of violence that bring suffering to ordinary Kashmiris. We believe firmly that violence cannot bring about a solution to the Kashmir issue and we urge the militants to remove the gun from Kashmiri politics.

Landmines (Falklands)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the terms of reference are of the joint UK-Argentinean feasibility study into the eradication of landmines in the Falklands; and what the timetable is for the study.

Kim Howells: In line with the 2001 UK-Argentina Joint Statement, we are currently working together on the terms of reference and scope of a joint feasibility study on de-mining the Falkland Islands. Once these are agreed, there will be a tendering process to select a contractor to carry out the study, which should take place between November 2006 and March 2007.

Landmines (Falklands)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of whether Argentina broke the Geneva convention by laying landmines in the Falklands.

Kim Howells: Argentina did not break any of the fourGeneva conventions by laying landmines in the Falkland Islands: there are no specific provisions regarding landmines in any of them.

Liberia

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department has taken to assist the Government of Nigeria in apprehending Charles Taylor, former Head of State of Liberia.

Ian Pearson: We are delighted that Charles Taylor has been arrested in Nigeria and transferred to the Special Court for Sierra Leone.
	The UK has been in close and regular touch with Nigeria and other international partners on the political and practical issues relating to Taylor's delivery to the court.
	We are grateful for the efforts of Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Nigerian President Obasanjo for their efforts in this regard.

Mercosur

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Mercosur trade bloc on trade with (a) the EU and (b) the UK.

Kim Howells: Discussions on EU-Mercosur trade in the context of the negotiations of the EU-Mercosur Regional Association Agreement, are conducted on behalf of the EU by the Commission. We have received no representations from the Mercosur group.

Mersey Police (Condoleeza Rice)

Peter Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will reimburse Mersey police for the extra costs incurred by them for policing the visit to Liverpool of the United States Secretary of State, Condoleeza Rice.

Douglas Alexander: Ensuring appropriate levels of security for visiting VIP's is the responsibility of the Police Service and the Home Office takes overall responsibility for policing.
	The costs of police resources fall to the Police Service concerned, in this case Merseyside police. However, there is a process through which Police Services may apply to the Home Office for a special grant to cover costs for events which are over and above routine policing.

Mujahedin-e Khalq Organisation

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment the Government have made of the military capacity of the Mujahedin-e Khalq organisation since May 2003.

Kim Howells: The Mujahedin-e Khalq was proscribed in the UK in March 2001. The list of proscribed organisations is kept under constant review. It is established policy not to comment further on any information or intelligence we hold in relation to a specific group.

NATO Forum on Energy Security Technology

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representation his Department had at the NATO forum on energy security technology held in Prague on 22 to 24 February; and if he will place in the Library copies of all presentations made which were relevant to United Kingdom energy security.

Jack Straw: Officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO), Ministry of Defence and the Home Office attended this conference, which was supported by the NATO Programme for Security through Science. Government officials did not make any presentations and the presentations made at the conference were not specific to the UK.
	Further information about the NATO Forum on Energy Security Technology can be found at the event's website, www.energy-security.org. FCO officials are in contact with the conference organisers to discuss possible arrangements for access to presentations made at the conference, which are password protected and only available to conference participants. My officials will write to the hon. Member when the conference organisers have been able to establish whether speakers are happy for their presentations to be shared more widely and how this can best be done.

Nigeria

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with counterparts in the Nigerian Government on a proposed amendment to the Constitution which will allow President Obasanjo to seek a third Presidential term; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary visited Nigeria from 13 to 15 February and had the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues with senior Nigerians, including President Obasanjo. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary said publicly during his visit that Constitutional change is a matter for the Nigerians and that we will continue to support the Nigerian Government's reform programme.

Official Engagements

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list his official engagements undertaken on 21 March 2006; for which such engagements the ministerial car was used; and if he will make a statement.

Jack Straw: Use of my official vehicles is in line with the Ministerial Code on Travel (copy in Library of the House).
	For reasons of security all journeys in respect of any of my public duties (including non-ministerial ones) and almost every private journey are undertaken in official vehicles.

Palestinian Authority

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the steps being taken by the Palestinian Authority to protect foreign nationals and property in Gaza and the West Bank.

Kim Howells: We were grateful for the steps taken by Palestinian security services to provide a safe exit for foreign nationals on 14 and 15 March. However, we are extremely concerned by the failure of the Palestinian Authority to take action against kidnappers or provide adequate protection for buildings connected with western interests in the West Bank and Gaza. It is disappointing that facilities designed to aid and support the Palestinian people, such as the library provided by the British Council, have been destroyed. We hope to re-open these facilities as soon as possible.

Peru

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the outcome of the Peruvian presidential election; and if he will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Peruvian Presidential election is scheduled to take place on 9 April. We are following the election campaign with close attention with a particular focus on the possible implications for our interests, including the substantial UK investments in the country. Whatever the outcome, we hope that we can continue to enjoy close and friendly relations with Peru.

Raoul Wallenberg

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek to obtain from the Swedish Government as much information as is in their possession about the case of Mr. Raoul Wallenberg.

Douglas Alexander: The Swedish Government have been very open on this matter.
	In 2001, a joint Swedish-Russian working group concluded a 10-year investigation into the fate of Raoul Wallenberg. The reports from both the Swedish and Russian sides are freely available on the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/3105/a/l8447;jsessionid=aQgqvmN_L6g6). In this process, the Swedish Government also made public about 60,000 pages on the case of Mr. Wallenberg.
	In 2003, a report into the Swedish Foreign Ministry's handling of the case was published. It is available with an English summary at http://www.regeringen.se/content/l/c4/14/55/eea4918e.pdf
	In addition, the Reference Group for Support to Independent Research on Raoul Wallenberg, established by the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs in April 2002, twice a year allocates and approves funds for independent research projects on Mr. Wallenberg.
	In light of the aforementioned, we have no plans to press the Swedish Government for further information on this matter.

Religious Freedom Panel

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether a meeting of the Religious Freedom Panel was held in March.

Ian Pearson: Yes. The panel met on Thursday 23 March.

Rendition

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 20 March 2006, Official Report, column 86W, on rendition, whether the requirement for permission is a legal requirement; and from which domestic and international law it derives.

Kim Howells: The requirement is a legal one and is an aspect of the principle of State sovereignty over territory.

Royal Visits

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the Queen has to visit (a) Commonwealth nations and (b) Overseas Territories.

Jack Straw: At present, there are no immediate plans for Her Majesty the Queen to visit either Commonwealth countries or Overseas Territories, although we do of course envisage future visits. The Queen has recently returned from attending the Commonwealth Games in Australia and a State Visit to Singapore. In the previous 12 months, the Queen has visited Canada (May 2005) and Malta (November 2005).

Royal Visits

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what visits have been made by members of the Royal Family to (a) Canada, (b) Australia, (c) New Zealand, (d) Gibraltar and (e) the Falkland Islands in the last five years.

Jack Straw: Our records show the following visits by members of the Royal Family to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Gibraltar and the Falkland Islands in the last five years.
	
		
			  Her Majesty the Queen Country visited Type of visit 
		
		
			 2002 2227 February New Zealand Royal 
			 2002 27 February to 2 March Australia Royal 
			 2002 23 March Australia Official the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 
			 2002 415 October Canada Royal 
			 2005 1725 May Canada Royal 
			 2006 12- 6 March Australia Royal 
		
	
	
		
			  His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh Country visited Type of visit 
		
		
			 2001 1921 October Canada Working 
			 2002 27 February to 2 March Australia Royalwith HM the Queen 
			 2002 23 March Australia Official (CHOGM)Royalwith HM the Queen 
			 2002 415 October Canada Royalwith HM the Queen 
			 2004 2627 April Canada Working 
			 2005 1725 May Canada Royalwith HM the Queen 
			 2006 1216 March Australia Royalwith HM the Queen 
		
	
	
		
			  His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales  Country visited  Type of visit 
		
		
			 2001 25 April to 2 May Australia Royal 
			 2005 28 February to March Australia Royal 
			 2005 610 March New Zealand Royal 
		
	
	
		
			  His Royal Highness Prince William  Country visited  Type of visit 
		
		
			 2005 30 June to 10 July New Zealand Royal 
		
	
	
		
			  His Royal Highness Prince Harry  Country visited  Type of visit 
		
		
			 2003 23 September to 20 December Australia Private 
		
	
	
		
			  His Royal Highness the Duke of York  Country visited  Type of visit 
		
		
			 2001 1417 December Canada Private 
			 2002 617 January Australia Private 
			 2002 811 November Falkland Islands Official 
			 2003 613 May Canada Royal 
			 2003 1218 June Canada Royal 
			 2005 2328 September Australia Private 
			 2005 28 September to 2 October New Zealand Regimental 
		
	
	
		
			  His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex  Country visited  Type of visit 
		
		
			 2001 29 August Canada Working 
			 2001 30 August to 1 September Gibraltar Working 
			 2002 58 September Canada Working 
			 2002 2024 September Canada Working 
			 2002 2229 November Australia Working 
			 2003 1625 June Canada Working 
			 2004 1322 March New Zealand Royal 
			 2005 31 May to 8 June Canada Working 
			 2006 1028 March Australia Royal 
		
	
	
		
			  Her Royal Highness the Princess Royal  Country visited  Type of visit 
		
		
			 2002 311 February New Zealand Working 
			 2003 29 August to 2 September Canada Working 
			 2003 1330 October Australia and  New Zealand Working 
			 2004 48 June Canada Royal 
			 2004 2830 June Gibraltar Official 
		
	
	
		
			  His Royal Highness the Duke of Kent  Country visited  Type of visit 
		
		
			 2001 49 April Canada Working 
			 2001 1922 October Canada Regimental 
		
	
	
		
			  His Royal Highness the Duke of Gloucester  Country visited  Type of visit 
		
		
			 2004 217 February New Zealand Private 
		
	
	
		
			  Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Gloucester  Country visited  Type of visit 
		
		
			 2004 23 January to 2 February Australia Working 
			 2004 217 February New Zealand Private 
		
	
	
		
			  His Royal Highness Prince Michael of Kent  Country visited  Type of visit 
		
		
			 2002 1325 March Canada Working 
			 2002 2125 June Canada Private 
			 2003 31 July to 6 August Canada Private 
			 2004 1318 October Canada Private 
		
	
	
		
			  Her Royal Highness Princess Michael of Kent Country visited  Type of visit 
		
		
			 2002 2125 June Canada PrivateWith HRH Prince Michael of Kent 
			 2003 31 July to 6 August Canada PrivateWith HRH Prince Michael of Kent 
		
	
	
		
			  Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex Country visited  Type of visit 
		
		
			 2005 31 May to 8 June Canada WorkingWith HRH the Earl of Wessex

Russia (Energy Supplies)

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications of Russia's development of natural gas pipelines to China.

Douglas Alexander: Russia and China formally agreed to construct a spur to China from the planned East Siberia-Pacific Ocean gas pipeline during President Putin's visit to China on 2122 March. This is consistent with Russia's desire to diversify gas exports and customers. President Putin stressed at the time of the announcement that Russia would continue to meet all its delivery requirements to European customers. More generally, the agreement reflects strengthening trade, economic and energy co-operation and bilateral links between China and Russia. Diversification of China's energy portfolio towards greater use of gas as a cleaner energy source and as a substitute for coal is good for climate change reasons.

Sierra Leone

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the security situation in Sierra Leone.

Ian Pearson: The overall security situation in Sierra Leone is generally calm, but fragile. The situation had sufficiently improved to allow the full departure of the UN peacekeeping force, the United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone, at the end of 2005. There has been progress on improving the training, leadership and professionalism of the Sierra Leone Army and Police forces. A UK-led International Military Assistance and Training Team has aided much of this reform by close co-operation with the Army and will remain in Sierra Leone until at least 2010. They currently have approximately 100 personnel in country. We have also provided support to the police in a training and reform programme, which has left them better able to deal with internal security.

Uganda

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the conclusions of the Commonwealth Observer Group report on the elections in Uganda on (a) the environment in which the elections were held, (b) whether there was a clear distinction between the ruling party and the state, (c) the use by the ruling party of public resources, (d) media coverage, (e) alleged harassment of the main opposition presidential candidate and (f) allegations of use by the ruling party of financial and material inducements.

Ian Pearson: On 15 March, the Commonwealth Observer Group issued its final report on the 2006 Presidential and Parliamentary elections. The report noted that the elections had generally been well administered and had enabled the will of the people to be expressed. However, the Group highlighted some serious irregularities, including the use of public resources, harassment and financial and material inducements, which meant that candidates were not competing on a level playing field.
	We, along with other donors, raised these concerns with the Ugandan government in the run-up to the elections. In particular, we called for a clear separation of the Movement Party from the State, and for a swift and transparent trial for Dr. Kizza Besigye, the main opposition leader.
	Our High Commissioner in Kampala, as chair of thelocal donors' group, held discussions with both the President and the main opposition party following the elections. We have called on all involved to work within the Constitution to embed pluralist democracy in Uganda.

Uganda

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect on the prospects for multi-party democracy in Uganda of the nomination of senior army officers to sit and vote in the next multi-party parliament; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: There has been no assessment made on the effects of the nomination of senior army officers in the Ugandan Parliament. The constitution is a matter for the Ugandan people. Under the constitution of the Republic of Uganda, promulgated in 1995 and amended in 2005, the Ugandan Parliament consists of 309 Members of Parliament (MPs). A number of seats are reserved for particular sectors of society; women (69), those with disabilities (five), trade and industry representatives (five), youth (five) and the armed forces (10).
	An election to determine the armed forces MPs was conducted by the Ugandan Electoral Commission in mid February 2006. General Nyakairima, Chief of Defence Forces, and General Tumwine, Chairman of the General Court Martial, were among those chosen.
	We welcome the return of multi-party democracy to Uganda.

Uganda

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the comments by Ugandan President Museveni that the UK is responsible for (a) the war in the north of Uganda and (b) the 12-hour power cuts due to load-shedding; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: During the recent election campaign, President Museveni stated that it was his opinion that the international community should share the responsibility for some of the problems currently facing Uganda. We disagree.
	The long-running conflict in northern Uganda is the result of a vicious insurgency by the Lord's Resistance Army. The Government of Uganda has primary responsibility for addressing the conflict and protecting and providing for those displaced by it. We are supporting efforts to resolve the conflict and have provided over 20 million in humanitarian assistance in 200506.
	The current extended three year period of drought in the region, coupled with reports of over-abstraction of water from Lake Victoria to generate power, have dramatically reduced the availability of power supply in Uganda leading to massive load shedding.

Uganda

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with President Museveni of Uganda following his election victory; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: Our High Commissioner in Kampala held discussions on 7 March with President Museveni following the election result. I also refer the hon. Member to the answers given to my hon. Friend the Member for Leicester, East (Keith Vaz) on 6 March 2006, Official Report, column 1179W, and the hon. Member for Hammersmith and Fulham (Mr. Hands) on 13 March 2006, Official Report, column 1911W.

Uganda

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Ugandan authorities following (a) the killing of three Forum for Democratic Change (FDC) supporters in Bulange, (b) the firing of tear gas at FDC supporters in Lugogo and (c) the driving of armoured personnel carriers through a FDC election rally in Mukono; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The Presidential and Parliamentary elections which took place on 23 February in Uganda were generally peaceful, as noted by the Commonwealth and the European Union Observer Missions.
	An individual has been arrested and is currently in detention with regard to the incident on 15 February when three opposition supporters were shot dead in the central Kampala suburb of Mengo. On 27 March, the court magistrate gave the police two weeks to complete its investigation.
	Armoured vehicles and tear gas was used on several occasions to police the elections. But we have not been able to substantiate the allegations that they were used to violate human rights. We have made no representations on these specific issues, but in the run-up to the elections we made clear to the Ugandan government the importance of a peaceful and transparent electoral process.

Uganda

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the ability of the press to operate freely in Uganda; what assessment he has made of the position in Uganda of (a) BBC reporter Will Ross, (b) the Economist reporter Drake Blake, (c) the Gulu FM Radio Station and (d) Uganda Observer reporter Ibhrahim Nganda; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: As I outlined in my answer to the hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) on 13 March 2006, Official Report, columns 19111912W, Uganda has a relatively free press. There are 129 radio stations operating across the country, six terrestrial television stations and four principal print dailies; some of which are frequently highly critical of the government. International donors monitor media freedom closely in Uganda and raised the issue most recently in a meeting with the Information Minister on 16 January 2006. There has been no assessment made regarding the position of individual journalists in Uganda.
	In late 2005, there were a number of incidents which raised concern about the Ugandan government's commitment to a free press. In part this informed the decision taken in December 2005 by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development, to announce a reduction of 15 million in Poverty Reduction Budgetary Support to Uganda.
	We support the right of all reporters to operate freely within the law. Choice FM in Gulu was closed on instructions from the Ugandan Broadcasting Council on 14 March 2006 for alleged breaches of the Electronic Media Act and for operating without a valid licence. Choice FM is contesting the allegations and an investigation is ongoing. We will keep this issue under close scrutiny and urge the Ugandan government to fully respect freedom of expression.

Uganda

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the climate for investment in Uganda; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: Uganda's economy has performed well in recent years, averaging approximately 6 per cent. annual growth between 1998 and 2005. By maintaining macro-economic stability and liberal economic policies Uganda has been able to attract some multinational investment and donor support. The major export crop is coffee, with some revival of tea, tobacco and cotton production. There is a modest manufacturing and tourism sector and relatively new development of horticulture. Exports continue to rise.

Ukraine

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the recent election in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: In its statement of 27 March, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe's Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights' International Election Observation Mission in Kiev described Ukraine's parliamentary elections held on 26 March as free and fair. We agree with this assessment.
	Coming only 15 months after Ukraine's Orange Revolution, born itself out of a severely flawed presidential election this is a significant achievement. It represents a big step forward for democracy in Ukraine and the whole Commonwealth of Independent States region. It also marks an important stage in the evolution of Ukraine's relations with both the EU and NATO.
	Ukraine's politicians are currently negotiating the formation of a coalition Government. Experience elsewhere in Europe shows that this can take some time. But whatever the complexion of the new Government, the UK stands ready to work with it in support of Ukraine's political and economic reform efforts.

UN Convention Against Torture

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage national governments to sign the second optional protocol to the UN convention against torture; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: The UK is a committed supporter of the optional protocol to the UN convention against torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment (OPCAT). There is only one optional protocol at present. The UK ratified the OPCAT in 2003, becoming the first country in the European Union and third country in the world to do so.
	In June 2004, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary launched a worldwide lobbying campaign to encourage other countries to sign and ratify the OPCAT. We continue to lobby in support of this and, through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's global opportunities fund, we are supporting the work of a non-governmental organisation, the Association for the Prevention of Torture, to promote ratification of the OPCAT around the world.

United States

Peter Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list his meetings with US Administration official Caleb McCarry; and what the subjects of each meeting were.

Douglas Alexander: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has never met Mr. McCarry. Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials, however, met Mr.McCarry in London on 7 November 2005, when he was on his way to a conference in Brussels where he met many European partners. The discussion focussed on UK/EU policy on Cuba, including ways of encouraging a process of peaceful transition to pluralist democracy in Cuba. The difference in UK/EU and US policy was also discussed. Mr. McCarry did not meet any Ministers during his visit.
	The Government continue to meet regularly with many interlocutors on Cuba, including the US. This is in line with the EU's longstanding policy of constructive engagement in pursuit of a peaceful transition to pluralist democracy.

World Cup (Complimentary Tickets)

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many complimentary tickets his Department has received for games taking place at the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany.

Kim Howells: FIFA has offered our ambassador in Berlin two World Cup 2006 tickets for each England game. In addition, he has been offered the opportunity to request one ticket for any other game.

World Heritage Sites

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which Minister in his Department has responsibility for issues relating to World Heritage Sites.

Douglas Alexander: Lead responsibility for policy on World Heritage Sites rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport works closely with relevant Government Departments on all issues affecting World Heritage Sites. Within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office there is no Minister of State with specific responsibility for World Heritage Sites. However, my hon. Friend the Minister of State for theMiddle East with responsibility for the UN, Kim Howells, and my noble Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs responsible for public diplomacy issues, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, have an interest in matters relating to World Heritage Sites.

Zimbabwe

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the removal of the BBC World Service from Zimbabwe by the Zimbabwean Government; and what representations he has made to other governments on this subject.

Ian Pearson: Representations were made to the Government of Zimbabwe in 2001, when BBC World Service reporters were first removed. Our embassy in Harare lobbied the Government of Zimbabwe in 2004, demanding the BBC's accreditation during the English cricket tour of Zimbabwe, while in parallel, my right hon. Friend the then Minister for Europe (Denis MacShane) summoned the Zimbabwean ambassador on the same issue. My hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Chris Mullin) also protested directly to the Zimbabwean ambassador about the pre-election crackdown on the media, including a removal of a BBC journalist, in February 2005.
	Most recently on 1 February, our embassy raised our concerns about the increasing restrictions and pressure on independent and foreign journalists with the Government of Zimbabwe. We also take every opportunity to raise our concerns about the lack of press freedom and respect for human rights in Zimbabwe with African leaders.

Zimbabwe

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the UK has taken to try to ensure that the government of Zimbabwe upholds Articles 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Ian Pearson: This Government take every opportunity to raise its concerns about the continued abuse of fundamental human rights by the government in Zimbabwe. We are working with the EU and other international partners to build pressure on the Zimbabwean government to respect its obligations, including upholding all the Articles enshrined in the UN Declaration on Human Rights.
	We have succeeded in placing Zimbabwe on the UN Security Council agenda, and the EU recently rolled over sanctions for a further year, from February 2006, in response to the continued abuse of human rights in Zimbabwe.
	The Government will continue to support those in Zimbabwe working for peaceful change in the country, and for the restoration of democratic accountability, respect for human rights and the rule of law.

Zimbabwe

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the South African Government on Zimbabwe; and if he will make a statement.

Ian Pearson: My noble Friend the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, discussed Zimbabwe with a range of South African Government leaders during his visit from 24 March.
	Many African countries share our concerns about Zimbabwe and there is growing African frustration at the lack of positive change in Zimbabwe. We and our European partners will continue to work with African leaders in addressing Zimbabwe's problems, many of which have an impact on the wider region.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Building Materials (Test Sites)

Alison Seabeck: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether there are sites within the UK which are large enough to test how various building materials react when subject to (a) explosion and (b) full scale fire tests.

Yvette Cooper: There are a number of government and privately owned testing establishments in the UK that can undertake explosive blast and fire testing of building materials, components and even certain full size structures.
	A considerable amount of valuable experimental work has been undertaken at these sites in the past in support of researches leading to the development of safe building structures.

Business Rates

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what primary legislation introduced since 1997 has amended rules or procedures on business rates.

Phil Woolas: The primary legislation for business rates has been amended substantively since 1997 by the Local Government Act 2003, the Rating (Former Agricultural Premises and Rural Shops) Act 2001, the Rating (Valuation) Act 1999 and the Local Government and Rating Act 1997. Minor amendments have been made by other enactments.

Capita

Chris Grayling: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what meetings (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have held with directors and senior executives of (i) Capita Group plc and (ii) its subsidiaries since 1st January 2004; and whether (A) Capita Group plc and (B) its subsidiaries have provided input (1) in writing and (2) in person to policy discussions in his Department since 1 January 2004.

Phil Woolas: The information requested is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Capita

James Brokenshire: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the value of contracts held by his Department with (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries was in the last three financial years.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The following table shows the value of payments made to Capita plc and its subsidiaries in the last three financial years. For completeness spend in this financial year to date has been included:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 200203 1,019,208 
			 200304 545,069 
			 200405 1,339,945 
			 200506 to date 1,166,965 
			 Total to date 4,071,187

Capita

James Brokenshire: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many tenders (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries have submitted to his Department in each of the last three years; and how many tenders were successful.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has awarded one contract to Capita Business Services Ltd. in 200506. Records are not held centrally of tenders offered and this information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Capita

James Brokenshire: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many contracts his Department holds with (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries which still have a potential duration of five years or more.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Department does not have any contract with Capita plc of this duration.

Civil Resilience Measures

Robert Syms: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the cost to local government of civil resilience measures; and what funding has been provided to local government for this purpose from central funds in 200506.

Jim Murphy: I have been asked to reply.
	As a part of Spending Review 2004, Cabinet Office officials worked closely with the Local Government Association to build up a detailed assessment of the costs facing local authorities in fulfilling their civil protection duties.
	As a result of Spending Review 2004 the Government more than doubled their contribution to the cost of English and Welsh local authorities' civil protection work to 40.7 million in each of the years covered by the review200506, 200607 and 200708. This uplift in funding levels was welcomed by the Local Government Association.
	The Government are committed to ensuring that new burdens imposed on local authorities are adequately funded. In the light of this commitment, the Government have made an additional 2,913,000 available for the period 200506 to 200708 to local authorities in recognition of new responsibilities in relation to downstream oil emergency response planning.

Council Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the merits of an investment allowance as a revenue stream on which to base borrowing for council housing; and if he will introduce such an allowance to underpin the borrowing allowed under the Local Government Act 2004.

Yvette Cooper: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 30 March 2006, Official Report, column 1216W.

Council Tax

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether a domestic property is revalued for council tax purposes on (a) the purchase of a freehold by a leaseholder, (b) the extension of the duration of the lease of a leasehold property, (c) the purchase of a council house under the Right to Buy and (d) the purchase of a housing association property under the Right to Acquire.

Phil Woolas: For the purposes of the council tax legislation, a relevant transaction means a transfer on sale of the fee simple, a grant of a lease for a term of seven years or more or a transfer on sale of such lease. The purchase of a freehold by a leaseholder, the purchase of a council house under the Right to Buy, and the purchase of a housing association property under the Right to Acquire, would all constitute a relevant transaction. The extension of the duration of the lease of a leasehold property would only constitute a relevant transaction if the extension was for seven years or more.
	Where a relevant transaction has taken place, an authority may make a proposal to the listing officer for the rebanding of the property; but only if it is of the opinion that there has been a material increase in the value of a property. A material increase in relation to the value of a property means any increase which is caused (in whole or part) by any building, engineering or other operation carried out in relation to the property, whether or not constituting development for which planning permission is required.
	This means that a property will be rebanded where work has taken place on the property such as to increase its value and move it into a higher band, and there has been a relevant transaction.

Council Tax

John Hemming: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the values were for (a) the assumed national Council Tax before floors and ceilings and (b) Council Tax at standard spending in each year since 199798; and for what reason these figures have increased at a rate beyond that of inflation.

Phil Woolas: The following table gives the Council Tax for Standard Spending for the years 199798 to 200203 and the Assumed National Council Tax for the years 200304 to 200506.
	
		Council Tax for standard spending/assumed national council tax
		
			   
		
		
			 199798 593.09 
			 199899 634.62 
			 199900 664.88 
			 200001 695.54 
			 200102 730.89 
			 200203 769.16 
			 200304 1,037.46 
			 200405 1,061.46 
			 200506 1,101.96 
		
	
	Both of these measures were simply the calculation of the assumed national council tax used within the formula grant calculations, and depended on the total of Standard Spending Assessments or Formula Spending Shares, the amount of Revenue Support Grant and the distributable amount of business rates, and the number of band-D equivalent properties in England.
	The large increase between 200203 and 200304 reflects the change to the Formula Spending Share system. The totals for Formula Spending Shares were set at approximately the level of spending by authorities, and thus the assumed national council tax was reset to a level nearer to the actual national average band-D council tax.

Departmental Financial Irregularities

Anne Main: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many incidences of financial irregularities have been discovered in his Department in each year since its creation; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: Incidences of financial irregularities that have been discovered each year in the Office are as follows:
	
		
		
			 Financial year Number of incidents Value 
		
		
			 200203 1 8,592 
			 200304 2 8,185 
			 200405 1 867,200 
			 200506 0 0 
		
	
	These are gross figures. Actual and likely recoveries from perpetrators are excluded.

Departmental Staff

Philip Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many and what proportion of (a) staff and (b) new staff employed in (i) his Department and (ii) each of the agencies for which he has responsibility were registered as disabled in each of the last three years for which data are available.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Cabinet Office collects and publishes annually statistical information on the civil service by Department. These include data on the number of staff in departments who have declared a disability. Declaration of a disability is voluntary.
	The latest available information at April 2004 is available in the Library of the House and on the Civil Service website at:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/manaqement/statistics/publications/xls/disability_apr04_4nov04.xls for data relating to 1 April 2004, and http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/statistics/archive/index.asp for previous reporting periods.
	For new entrants to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Executive agencies, the figures for the period 1 April 2003 to 27 March 2006 are as follows 1 :
	1 New entrants who declared themselves as disabled.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (Centre) 1 
			 Fire Service College 0 
			 Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre 0 
			 The Planning Inspectorate 6

Domestic Leases

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate the Government have made of the number of domestic leases extended in duration by leaseholders in each of the last five years.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not hold or collate information relating to the number of domestic leases that have been extended, and has not sought to estimate the numbers. Such transactions are recorded by the Land Registry although inquiries have established that they do not collate the information.

Energy Efficiency

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he is taking to increase energy efficiency within his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has adopted the energy targets as set out in the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate. Our Sustainable Development Action Plan and its associated delivery plan can be viewed at http://www.odpm.gov.uk/index.asp?id=l164438. We have been actively engaged with the Carbon Trust to identify both quick wins and longer term actions required to achieve the current target of a reduction of 15 per cent. usage of fuel per square metre by 201011.
	Additionally we have completed the first phase of the programme to define the requirements for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to join the Carbon Trust's Carbon Management Programme.
	Projects are underway to increase energy efficiency within our buildings. Primarily these are based upon the Carbon Trust energy audits that have been carried out in the Office's HQ buildings. Some actions are:
	Revision of office light timings to reduce electricity usage;
	Installation of timers on non-essential refrigeration and air handling equipment;
	Optimisation of office temperatures and fresh air supply rates.
	These actions are included within the certificated and independently audited ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems which the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has developed to manage our response to the Framework for Sustainable Development on the Government Estate.
	This answer does not include the buildings occupied by Government Offices, who carry out functions on behalf of 10 Government Departments.

Environmental Information Regulations

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many requests his Department has received for information under the environmental information regulations since their introduction; and what proportion (a) have still to be processed, (b) were refused outright, (c) were granted in part, (d) were fully met as part of the original request, (e) were refused initially and granted in whole or in part under internal review and (f) have been referred to the Information Commissioner on appeal.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given today, UIN62308.

Freedom of Information

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many requests his Department has received for information under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 since its introduction; and what proportion of those requests (a) have still to be processed, (b) were refused, (c) were partly refused, (d) were fully answered, (e) were refused initially and granted in whole or in part under internal review on appeal and (f) have been referred to the Information Commissioner.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The raw figures for the number of Freedom of Information requests (including requests for environmental information) received by the Office of the Deputy Prime Ministerincluding the Government Offices for the Regionsin the first three quarters of 2005 which were granted in full, partially withheld and fully withheld are available from the Department for Constitutional Affairs' publications Freedom of Information Act 2000Statistics on Implementation in Central GovernmentQl: January to March 2005; Q2: April to June 2005; and Q3: July to September 2005, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses and can be viewed on the Department for Constitutional Affairs website. The information requested can be found in table 3 of the Reports.
	Of the 600 resolvable requests received by ODPM in the first three quarters of the year, that is, requests where the information requested was held by ODPM, 31 were requests for environmental information that were answered under the Environmental Information Regulations 2004. In 52 per cent. of these cases the information requested was granted in full, in 13 per cent. it was partially withheld and in 35 per cent. it was fully withheld.
	In total, three requests where the information had initially been withheld or partially withheld were later granted in full, and a further 11 were granted in part, following internal review on appeal. Of the 11 that were granted in part at internal review, four were requests for environmental information that were answered under the Environmental Information Regulations. Three refusals have been referred to the Information Commissioner, of which two were requests handled under the Environmental Information Regulations.
	DCA are intending to publish, and place in the libraries of both Houses, the corresponding tables for the fourth quarter of 2005 early in April 2006. In addition an Annual Report for the whole of 2005, containing additional statistics on Central Government's performance in handling requests made under the Freedom of Information Act in its first year will be published later in April.

Hereditaments

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what formula is used to calculate the council tax and business rates liability for a composite hereditament.

Phil Woolas: There is no single formula used to calculate the council tax and business rates liability for a composite hereditament. The parts of the hereditament used for domestic purposes would be placed in one of eight value bands based on their open market value on 1 April 1991. The parts of the hereditament used for non-domestic purposes would be valued to determine the rateable value. The rates liability for that part of the hereditament would be determined by applying the relevant formula to the rateable value based on the availability of any mandatory relief and then deducting any further discretionary relief.

Hereditaments

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average rateable value was per square metre in 2005 following revaluation of bulk class hereditaments in (a) England and (b) each Government Office Region.

Phil Woolas: The ODPM produces estimates of commercial and industrial floor space and rateable values from data received from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA). The rateable values per square metre of bulk class hereditaments in England and each Government Office Region as at 1 April 2005 are given in the table.
	Bulk class hereditaments comprise retail premises, offices, factories, warehouses and other bulk premises. These types of commercial and industrial property have floor space information available from the VOA.
	
		Rateable value per m(8) of bulk class hereditaments:Government Office Regions, 1 April, 2005
		
			   
		
		
			 North East 43 
			 North West 48 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 45 
			 East Midlands 45 
			 West Midlands 48 
			 East of England 65 
			 London 143 
			 South East 80 
			 South West 55 
			 England 66

Home Information Packs

Clive Betts: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether it is his policy that lenders shall have full electronic access to the Home Condition Report when home information packs are introduced.

Yvette Cooper: The Government wants lenders to make use of the Home Condition Report to perform valuations. Reducing the need for separate physical inspections of homes will benefit consumers by speeding up and reducing the costs of lending. To facilitate this, we intend that lenders will have electronic access to full individual reports stored in the Home Condition Report register.

Home Information Packs

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans the Government have for a regional pilot prior to the nationwide introduction of home information packs.

Yvette Cooper: The dry-run of home information packs will provide assurance to the industry that the new process will operate effectively from June 2007. The dry-run has already begun; ODPM are working with 46 organisations in England and Wales who are offering or planning to offer the packs to consumers on a voluntary basis. These organisations are feeding back their experiences on the ground to ODPM and have reported that more than 2,500 voluntary home information packs have already been commissioned by consumers.
	More dry-run activities are currently being developed. There are proposals by industry organisations for activities in particular geographical areas, which will also feed into the dry-run. Over 125 organisations have expressed an interest in becoming involved in the dry-run, which will ultimately include all those who are involved in the process of delivering home information packs, such as surveyors, solicitors, estate agents, HIP providers and search companies.

Home Information Packs

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the timetable is for the introduction of home information packs.

Yvette Cooper: A detailed timeline showing key events and milestones for the Home Information Pack Programme leading up to their mandatory introduction on 1 June 2007 was published on 16 March and can be seen on the ODPM's website at: www.odpm.gov.uk/homeinformationpacks
	The key milestones include:
	
		
			  
		
		
			 April 2006: Launch of stakeholder publicity campaign and details of the phased dry-run published. 
			 June 2006 Home Information Pack Regulations made. 
			 June 2006 Phase one of the dry-run, focusing on ensuring that the components of the Home Information Pack can be brought together quickly and used successfully. 
			 September 2006 First Certification Schemes approved and Home Condition Report Register and Portal contract agreed. 
			 March 2007 Final assurance checks completed. 
			 April 2007 Launch of main publicity campaign directed at consumers. 
			 June 2007 Home Information Packs Go Live on 1 June 2007

Homebuy Schemes

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many households he expects to participate in (a) Social Homebuy, (b) Open Market Homebuy and (c) New Build Homebuy in each year of the proposed scheme's operations.

Yvette Cooper: The Homebuy scheme, which will commence on 1 April, will help over 100,000 households into home ownership by 2010.
	As announced by right hon. Friends, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Deputy Prime Minister, on 22 March we expect to deliver 35,000 new low cost home ownership homes with increased investment of 970 million through the Housing Corporation's Affordable Housing Programme in 200608. These homes will be provided through our New Build and Open Market Homebuy options. Allocations to registered social landlords who have bid to run the Social Homebuy scheme will be issued shortly.
	As explained in my earlier response to the hon. Member, 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 917W, the final numbers to be helped through Social Homebuy will depend on take up by tenants and landlords.

Homelessness

Sally Keeble: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what research his Department has assessed since 2001 on how homelessness prevention funds have been spent.

Yvette Cooper: In addition to performance monitoring reports from local authorities submitted in relation to their homelessness grants, three studies have been particularly significant in helping to assess the impact of homelessness grants in preventing homelessness and leading to a sustained reduction in new cases of homelessness since the end of 2003.
	In February 2005, the National Audit Office published a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (HC286 Session 200405), More than a roof: Progress in tackling homelessness, following an examination of the work of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Homelessness and Housing Support Directorate. The examination considered the directorate's impact in achieving the Government's targets to reduce rough sleeping and end the use of bed and breakfast hotels as long-term accommodation for families with children, and in developing new approaches to tackling homelessness. It found that the directorate's target setting, combined with directed financial support and advice, had helped to bring about significant achievements.
	In December 2005 the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister published the results of a survey of local authorities about homelessness. This included information about the wide range of prevention schemes that local authorities are using currently and their plans for future prevention activities. The survey report included estimates of the impact of homelessness prevention in reducing the use of temporary accommodation by preventing crises and helping households to settle and of the efficiency savings that they plan to make. The ODPM has also commissioned Heriot-Watt University to evaluate a range of homelessness prevention initiatives in case study local authorities and to produce good practice guidance for local authorities about the effectiveness of homelessness prevention. This project has now reported and the research and guidance will be published within the next three months.

Homelessness

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many homeless households in (a) Peterborough and (b) Cambridgeshire were (i)living in temporary accommodation and (ii) sleeping rough in each of the past five years; and how many beds were available for homeless households in each area in each year.

Yvette Cooper: Information about the number of households in temporary accommodation arranged by Peterborough and by all local authorities in Cambridgeshire under homelessness legislation as at 31 March, and the number of persons sleeping rough in these areas, in each of the past five years is tabled as follows.
	Each local authority in England has a duty to provide accommodation to households who have been accepted as homeless and are owed a main housing duty under homelessness legislation. If the authority cannot provide a settled solution straight away the household will be placed in temporary accommodation. For this reason, authorities will not have a set number of beds for homeless households.
	
		Households in temporary accommodation(7) arranged by local authorities under homelessness legislation, and number of persons sleeping rough(8)
		
			  Households in TA as at 31 March Rough sleepers 
		
		
			 2001   
			 Peterborough 129 0 
			 All LAs in Cambridgeshire 540 16 
			
			 2002   
			 Peterborough (9) 0 
			 All LAs in Cambridgeshire 560 19 
			
			 2003   
			 Peterborough 302 9 
			 All LAs in Cambridgeshire 740 18 
			
			 2004   
			 Peterborough 114 4 
			 All LAs in Cambridgeshire 630 7 
			
			 2005   
			 Peterborough 82 4 
			 All LAs in Cambridgeshire 610 11 
		
	
	(7) Households in accommodation either pending a decision on their homelessness application or awaiting allocation of a settled home following acceptance. Excludes those households designated as homeless at home that have remained in their existing accommodation and have the same rights to suitable alternative housing as those in accommodation arranged by the authority.
	(8) Number of persons sleeping rough, based on local authority mid-year counts or estimates.
	(9) Denotes data not reported.
	Note:
	Temporary accommodation figures for Cambridgeshire, which include estimates for partial and non-response, have been rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source:
	ODPM P1E homelessness returns (quarterly) and HSSA returns (annual).

Housing

Margaret Moran: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) households and (b) children in (i) the East of England and (ii) Luton are living in overcrowded accommodation.

Yvette Cooper: There are two measures of overcrowdingthe statutory definition and the bedroom standard used in the survey of empty housing.
	Using the bedroom standard and based on the most recent three years of 200203, 200304 and 200405: (a) the estimated number of households in the East of England who were living in overcrowded accommodation was 31,000 and (b) the estimated number of children who were living in overcrowded accommodation was 63,000. These figures were derived from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's Survey of English Housing.
	The only recent estimate of the number of overcrowded households in Luton is 3,000. This is from an ad hoc report based on combined data from both the Survey of English Housing and the Department for Work and Pension's Family Resources Survey for the three years 200001, 200102 and 200203. Reliable estimates for the number of children living in overcrowded accommodation in Luton were not determined.
	Estimates based on the statutory standard are not available because the underlying data are not collected systematically. A one-off estimate was made in the autumn of 2001 that there were approximately 25,000 households across the whole of England that were in conditions of overcrowding that breached the statutory standard. This estimate was based on data from the Survey of English Housing for the period 199798 to 19992000 and from the 1996 English House Condition Survey. Equivalent estimates for the East of England and for Luton are not available.

Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was paid in capital grants to housing associations in each year since 200001.

Yvette Cooper: The table shows capital grants to housing associations via the Housing Corporation from 200005.
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 200001 1,230 
			 200102 1,234 
			 200203 1,530 
			 200304 2,060 
			 200405 1,695 
		
	
	Source:
	Housing Corporation annual accounts
	The figures above represent capital grants through the Approved, Development Programme, Local Authority Social Housing Grant, Starter Home Initiative, Safer Communities Supported Housing Fund, Rough Sleepers Initiative and Thames Gateway.

Housing

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was spent on housing benefit for tenants in (a) council property, (b) housing association and registered social landlord property and (c) private sector housing in (i) Tameside and (ii) Stockport in each year since 2001.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available broken down in the format requested. The available information for rent rebates, council tenancies, and rent allowance, all other tenancies, is in the tables.
	
		Housing benefit expenditure in Stockport metropolitan borough council; nominal terms --  million
		
			  Rent Rebates Rent Allowance 
		
		
			 200001 15.3 20.4 
			 200102 16.0 20.6 
			 200203 16.4 22.0 
		
	
	
		Housing benefit expenditure in Tameside metropolitan borough council; nominal terms  --  million
		
			  Rent Rebates Rent Allowance 
		
		
			 200001 2.0 42.5 
			 200102 1.8 43.8 
			 200203 2.1 47.9 
		
	
	Source:
	DWP expenditure tables derived from local authority claims for housing revenue account subsidy.

Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much his Department paid to arm's length management organisations in each year since 2000; and how much is budgeted to be spent in (a) 200506 and (b) 200607.

Yvette Cooper: 56 million was paid to arms length management organisations (ALMOs) under the ALMO programme in 200203, 321 million in 200304 and 577 million in 200405. 850 million is budgeted to be spent in 200506 and 884 million in 200607.

Housing

Ken Purchase: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much housing subsidy was (a) paid by his Department to each local authority and (b) paid to his Department by each local authority in 200405; and how much his Department received in right-to-buy proceeds from each local authority in that year.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 8 February 2006
	I have placed the information requested at (a) and (b) in the library of the house in the form of a table showing the amount of positive and negative Housing Revenue Account Subsidy entitlement for 20042005, for those authorities that have submitted audited forms for that year.
	The Government expects to invest a net subsidy of around 200 million in 200506, with similar amounts forecast for future years.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister collects data on total pooled receipts and total amounts set aside by housing authorities. These figures include the amounts arising from Right to Buy sales alongside amounts relating to other housing capital receipts, but the amounts relating to Right to Buy sales are not separately identified. The available data has been placed in the Library of the House. The aggregate national figures are set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Total housing capital receipts ( million) Set Aside/Pooling ( million) Set aside/pooling as percentage of housing capital receipts Capital investment ( million) Investment greater than set-aside/pooling by ( million) 
		
		
			 199798 1,438 943 66 1,894 951 
			 199899 1,630 1,085 67 2,098 1,013 
			 199900 2,249 1,477 66 2,173 696 
			 200001 2,441 1,626 67 2,866 1,240 
			 200102 2,244 1,382 62 2,696 1,314 
			 200203 3,474 1,626 47 2,943 1,317 
			 200304 3,622 No data n/a 3,964 n/a 
			 200405 3,193 1,700 53 4,135 2,435 
			 200506 No data (10)840 n/a (11)5,223 4,383 
			 200607 No data (10)801 n/a (11)5,347 4,546 
			 200708 No data (10)753 n/a (11)5,665 4,912 
		
	
	(10) Programmed expenditure
	(11) Estimated pooled housing capital receipts
	Note:
	Pooling replaced set-aside as the mechanism to invest housing capital receipts in 200405
	In 200405 the amount paid to government from all housing receipts (not just right to buy) was 1.7 billion. The amount invested in housing was 4.1 billion i.e. almost 2 times the amount. The ratio of amount invested to set aside is expected to increase substantially in the future.

Housing

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what powers councils have to impose a moratorium onspecific types of new housing development if the localplanning authority has met its regional building targets.

Yvette Cooper: None. Local planning authorities are required to determine all planning applications that come before them on the merits of the individual case.

Housing

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate he has made of the capital value of (a) housing association and (b) council housing stock in each year since 200001.

Yvette Cooper: The estimated capital value (Net book value) of housing association stock in each year since 200001 is in the following table. We do not have estimates of the current value of this stock. This does not include the value of the stock of the smallest (less than 250 units) housing associations.
	
		
			  Housing association stock (Net book value) ( billion) 
		
		
			 200001 25 
			 200102 27 
			 200203 30 
			 200304 33 
			 200405 36 
		
	
	The estimated capital value of local authority housing stock in each year since 200001 is in the table below. The figures are not available for the year ending 2000. All values are at January 1999 prices.
	
		
			 April each year Local authority ( billion) 
		
		
			 2001 109 
			 2002 107 
			 2003 104 
			 2004 99 
			 2005 94

Influenza Pandemic

Mike Hancock: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans each local authority in Hampshire has in place for action in the event of a pandemic, in relation to (a) their own staff, (b) maintaining their statutory services and (c) tending to the wider population; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Murphy: I have been asked to reply.
	The Government does not systematically collect information on the emergency plans and business continuity arrangements maintained by individual local authorities.
	Part 1 of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 establishes a statutory framework for civil protection activity at the local level. Under this legislation all principal local authorities are required to maintain emergency plans and business continuity arrangements, informed by risk assessments, to ensure that they can mobilise an effective emergency response, and are able to continue to exercise their other functions during a full range of emergencies, including health emergencies. The legislation also requires local authorities and other key partners to exercise these plans. The performance of English local authorities against the duties set out in the Act will be assessed by the Audit Commission as part of the Comprehensive Performance Assessment.
	The Government have issued tailored guidance to local authorities and other local responders via the Regional Resilience Teams in the Government Offices to inform local planning for a flu pandemic.

Influenza Pandemic

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much has been spent in respect of each stock transfer since 1997 on (a) set-up costs, (b) early redemption penalties, (c) debt write-off, (d) gap funding and (e) subsidy to registered social landlords, broken down by local authority.

Yvette Cooper: The following table provides figures in respect of: set up costs; the amount of local authority debt repaid by Central Government where the transfer generated a receipt insufficient to pay off the outstanding debt; and gap funding grant (this is in lieu of continued subsidy of the debt through the HRA). The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not separately log the figures in respect of early redemption penalties. Subsidy is not paid to registered social landlords as part of stock transfer.
	
		Large scale voluntary transfers since 1997 --  million
		
			 Local authority Date of transfer Set-up costs Overhanging debt paid Gap funding-spend up to 31 December 2005 
		
		
			 Cotswold DC 28 February 1997 2.37   
			 South Staffs C 7 March 1997 2.06   
			 Lichfield DC 19 March 1997 2.08   
			 South Oxfordshire DC 7 July 1997 3.19   
			 Eden C 22 September 1997 1.18   
			 LB Lambeth(12) Moorlands 5 January 1998 0.40   
			 LB Bexley 9 February 1998 2.19   
			 LB Bexley 9 February 1998 1.81   
			 Congleton BC 2 March 1998 2.17   
			 Oldham BC(12) Limehurst 9 March 1998 0.257   
			 Liverpool CC(12)Windermere 19 March 1998 0.197   
			 LB Merton(12) Pollards Hill 23/ March 1998 0.56   
			 LB Tower Hamlets(12) Poplar I 23 March 1998 1.26   
			 Kerrier DC 23 March 1998 1.58   
			 LB Hackney(12) Kingsmead 30 March 1998 0.39   
			 LB Brent(12) Fortunegate/Church End 30 March 1998 1.37   
			 Basildon C(12) Vange 30 March 1998 0.28   
			 West Somerset DC 30 march 1998 1.98   
			 Stoke-on-Trent CC (12) Bentilee 31 March 1998 0.65   
			 Tewksbury BC 27 April 1998 2.09   
			 Rother DC 1 May 1998 1.02   
			 LB Lambeth(12) Lansdowne Green 20 July 1998 0.25   
			 LB Tower Hamlets(12) Poplar II 7 December 1998 1.15   
			 Wurral(12) Leasowe 25 January 1999 0.45   
			 Tameside(12) West Ashton 1 February 1999 0.10   
			 West Devon BC 22 February 1999 0.4   
			 South Somerset DC 1 March 1999 5   
			 East Lindsey DC 1 March 1999 3.86   
			 Liverpool CC(12) Pinehurst 5 March 1999 0.25   
			 LB Hackney(12) Morningside 15 March 1999 0.46   
			 LB Hammersmith  Fulham(12) Old Oak 17 March 1999 0.28   
			 LB Hackney(12)Upper Clapton 22 March 1999 0.37   
			 Telford and Wrekin C 25 march 1999 4.2   
			 Worthing BC 29 March 1999 1.603   
			 Bath  North East Somerset C 29 March 1999 2.4   
			 Manchester CC(12) East Wythenshawe 29 March 1999 2.90   
			 LB Greenwich(12) Charlton Triangle 29 March 1999 0.50   
			 LB Hackney(12) Haggerston 29 March 1999 0.26   
			 Allerdale BC(12) Salterbeck 31 March 1999 0.29   
			 Preston BC(12) Avenham 14 June 1999 0.45   
			 LB Lambeth(12) Central Stockwell 5 July 1999 0.94   
			 Birmingham CC(12) Central Areas 21 June 1999 0.87   
			 LB Islington(12) Barnsbury 26 September 1999 0.246   
			 LB Islington(12) Ten Estates 26 September 1999 0.271   
			 Liverpool CC(12) Speke Garston 4 October 1999 1.87   
			 West Lindsey DC 18 October 1999 2.5   
			 LB Lambeth(12) St Martins 25 October 1999 0.61   
			 Boston BC 29 November 1999 1.6   
			 Tynedale DC 20 December 1999 2.1   
			 Newcastle under Lyme BC 31 January 2000 4.08   
			 Restormel BC 7 February 2000 1.211   
			 Manchester CC (Colshaw Farm) 14 February 2000 0.45   
			 North Devon DC 21 February 2000 2.99   
			 LB Hackney(12) Stamford Hill 6 March 2000 0.45   
			 LB Hackney(12) Pembury Estate 6 March 2000 0.5   
			 Burnley BC 8 March 2000 2.25 21  
			 Manchester CC Sale Estate 20 March 2000 0.45   
			 Weymouth and Portland C 20 March 2000 2.4   
			 Huntington DC 20 March 2000 4.4   
			 Elmbridge BC 27 March 2000 4.2   
			 Test Valley BC 27 March 2000 5.1   
			 Wyre Forest DC 27 March 2000 4.1   
			 Manchester CC Whitefield Estate 27 March 2000 0.5   
			 LB Tower Hamlets(12) THCH 27 March 2000 0.54   
			 Tameside MBC 27 March 2000 9.28   
			 LB Richmond 17 July 2000 3   
			 Coventry CC 22 September 2000 7.703 111.7  
			 Fylde BC 2 October 2000 1.06   
			 Chester CC 27 November 2000 2.33   
			 Horsham DC 11 December 2000 2.4   
			 East Northamptonshire DC 19 February 2001 0.25   
			 Torbay BC 19 February 2001 1.992   
			 Staffordshire Moorlands DC 23 February 2001 1.11   
			 Calderdale MBC 6 march 2001 3.9 64.6  
			 Chichester DC 13 March 2001 2.52   
			 Mendip DC 19 March 2001 2.13   
			 West Wiltshire DC 26 March 2001 0.95   
			 West Oxfordshire DC 26 March 2001 2.22   
			 East Staffordshire BC 26 March 2001 1.295   
			 Manchester CC Handforth Estate 26 March 2001 0.36   
			 Sunderland CC 26 March 2001 1.336   
			 Blackburn with Darwen BC 28 March 2001 3.1 78.9  
			 Shrewsbury  Atcham BC 1 October 2001 3.03   
			 Mid-Bedfordshire DC 5 November 2001 1.5   
			 Derbyshire Dales 4 March 2002 1.45   
			 Chelsmford BC 11 march 2002 3.39   
			 East Hertfordshire DC 18 March 2002 2.37   
			 Erewash BC 25 March 2002 1.59   
			 Reigate  Banstead BC 25 March 2002 2.36   
			 St Edmunsbury 24 June 2002 3   
			 Vale Royal BC 1 July 2002 1.47   
			 St Helens MBC 1 July 2002 6.48 87.2  
			 Redcar  Cleveland BC 15 July 2002 5.76 25.4  
			 Knowsley MBC 15 July 2002 5.97 126.1  
			 LB Waltham Forest 30 September 2002 0.52969   
			 County of Hertfordshire C 25 November 2002 1.95   
			 Carlisle CC 09 December 2002 8.73 18  
			 Rushcliffe BC 20 January 2003 1.6   
			 City of Bradford 24 February 2003 10.028 182.8  
			 Amber Valley BC 24 February 2003 2.3   
			 Crewe and Nantwich BC 10 March 2003 1.4   
			 Walsall MBC (majority of stock) 27 March 2003 15.2 as below  
			 Walsall MBC (tenant managed stock) 27 March 2003 2.6 108.7  
			 Craven DC 31 March 2003 2.36   
			 Forest of Dean DC 31 March 2003 1.7   
			 North Hertfordshire DC 31 March 2003 2.22   
			 Manchester CC (East Manchester) 8 September 2003 2.62   
			 Scarborough BC 15 December 2003 1.875   
			 Maidstone BC 2 February 2004 2.6   
			 Cherwell 29 March 2004 2.36   
			 Bromsgrove 29 March 2004 2.18   
			 Hartlepool 29 March 2004 2.7 65.709  
			 Liverpool (Kensington) 29 March 2004 0.36   
			 Worcester 31 March 2004 1.83 25.23  
			 South Norfolk 17 May 2004 2.5   
			 Copeland BC 7 June 2004 1.37 15.81  
			 Purbeck 28 June 2004 0.93   
			 Manchester (Woodhouse Park)(13) 4 October 2004  44  
			 Peterborough 4 October 2004 3.533   
			 Forest Heath 11 October 2004 2.438   
			 Middlesbrough 15 November 2004 9.77 138.8  
			 LB Tower Hamlets Tarling East(13) 20 December 2004  2.51  
			 Wirral 7 February 2005 5.09 111.58  
			 LB Islington Grove Estate(13) 21 December 2005  16.20  
			 Trafford 14 March 2005 5.30 30.50  
			 LB Lambeth Kennington Park** 21 March 2005  13.53  
			 LB Tower Hamlets Crossways(13) 21 March 2005  8.21  
			 North East Lincolnshire 21 March 2005 2.90 61.37 6.18 
			 Wakefield 21 March 2005 10.15 148.97  
			 LB Tower Hamlets (Mile End East)(13) 11 April 2005  27.40  
			 Manchester CC (Haughton Green) 18 April 2005 0.50 19.27  
			 LB Tower Hamlets (Leopold and Burdett West)(13) 1 August 2005  12.21 0.538 
			 LB Tower Hamlets (Sheltered)(13) 14 November 2005  6.85 0.073 
			 Islington (Ringcross)(13) 28 November 2005  5.11  
			 Preston CC(13) 28 November 2005  65.63 0.500 
			 Halton 5 December 2005 3.62 40.54  
			 Tower Hamlets (Island Homes)(13) 5 December 2005  36.20  
			  
			   299.430 1720.040 7.291 
		
	
	(12) Relates to set up costs paid as part of the Estates Renewal Challenge Fund (ERCF) programme
	(13) Local authority has not requested set up costs

Influenza Pandemic

Michael Meacher: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was raised by right-to-buy sales in each local authority in each year since 1997; how much was retained by each local authority in each year; how much was (a) transferred from local authority control for other purposes and (b) not permitted to be used for housing purposes by the local authority; and what percentage the amount transferred from local authority control and not permitted to be used for housing purposes represents as a percentage of the amount from right to buy sales put into housing revenue accounts in each case in each year.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 7 March 2006
	I have placed in the Library of the House the available information on right to buy sales in each local authority in each year since 1997 and the available information on the total housing capital receipts for each local authority and the amount each authority has been required either to set aside for debt repayment or to pay to the Secretary of State under the pooling arrangements.
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has no information on what uses each local authority makes of the proportion of the housing capital receipt they are entitled to retain. Local authorities may use the retained proportion of the capital receipt for any capital purpose they see fit.
	The total national position is summarised in the following table. In 200405 the amount paid to Government from all housing receipts (not just right to buy) was 1.7 billion. The amount invested in housing was 4.1 billion. The ratio of amount invested to amount set aside is expected to increase substantially in the future.
	
		
			  Total housing capital receipts (m) Set Aside/Pooling (m) Set aside/pooling as percentage of housing capital receipts Capital investment (m) Investment greater than set-aside/pooling by (m) 
		
		
			 199798 1,438 943 66 1,894 951 
			 199899 1,630 1,085 67 2,098 1,013 
			 19992000 2,249 1,477 66 2,173 696 
			 200001 2,441 1,626 67 2,866 1,240 
			 200102 2,244 1,382 62 2,696 1,314 
			 200203 3,474 1,626 47 2,943 1,317 
			 200304 3,622 No data n/a 3,964 n/a 
			 200405 3,193 1,700 53 4,135 2,435 
			 200506 No data (14)840 n/a (15)5,223 4,383 
			 200607 No data (14)801 n/a (15)5,347 4,546 
			 200708 No data (14)753 n/a (15)5,665 4,912 
		
	
	Note:
	Pooling replaced set-aside as the mechanism to invest housing capital receipts in 20042005.
	(14) Estimated pooled housing capital receipts.
	(15) Programmed expenditure.

Local Government (Pensions)

Michael Weir: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he has discussed with the Scottish Executive changes to the local government pension scheme.

Phil Woolas: I discussed the local government pension scheme with Tom McCabe, Minister for Finance and Public Service Reform at the Scottish Executive, on 7 March 2006.

Local Government (Pensions)

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the Local Government Pension Scheme will participate in the Pension Protection Fund.

Phil Woolas: The pension benefits paid under the terms of the Local Government Pension Scheme are guaranteed by statute. As a public service pension scheme, therefore, there is no reason why it needs to participate in the Pension Protection Fund.

Local Government Expenditure

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of local government revenue expenditure was financed through parking charges and fees in each year since 199798; and what the estimated figure is for 200607.

Phil Woolas: Revenue expenditure is financed by grants, council tax and changes in reserves. Income from services, including parking, do not finance revenue expenditure, but are netted off from service expenditure when determining revenue expenditure. It is therefore not possible to calculate a proportion of revenue expenditure financed by parking charges and fees.

Local Government Restructuring

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the meetings that the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State with responsibility for local government has had with local authority (a) officials and (b) representatives concerning local government restructuring in the last 12 months.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 2 March 2006, Official Report, columns 94142W to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) by my hon. Friend the Member for Oldham, East and Saddleworth (Mr. Woolas).

Local Government Restructuring

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether the Government's plans for local government restructuring involve potential changes to the boundaries of existing unitary authorities.

Phil Woolas: We have launched a public debate about the governance arrangements for local areas and are interested to hear all views on the merits of change and how it might be made. We intend to finalise our position around the middle of the year at about the same time as the publication of the proposed White Paper.

London Governance

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the Answer to the hon. Member for Meriden of 24 November 2005, Official Report, column 2238W, on London governance, when he expects to publish the outcome of his consultation; and whether he plans to do so before the London local elections.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Government aims to publish a final package of additional powers for the Mayor of London and London Assembly later in the spring. We do not intend to publish the final package before the local elections on 4 May.

Mines Rescue Service

David Taylor: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received on the (a) past, (b) present and (c) future utilisation of the specialist skills of the Mines Rescue Service by fire and rescue services; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer 21 March 2006
	The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has not received any representations on the utilisation of the Mines Rescue Service, though technical and operational advice has been sought from Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate in relation to particular specialist incidents. Over the years Fire and Rescue Services in whose areas the Mines Rescue Service is located have maintained close links with it, particularly where there are working mines.
	I have undertaken, in response to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Rhondda (Chris Bryant), 8 March 2006, Official Report, column 809, to consider how the specialist skills of the Mines Rescue Service may be used in future major incidents.
	A close relationship has been forged with the Mines Rescue Service through ODPM's New Dimension Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) project over the last few years. This relationship was effectively demonstrated through the response to the Glasgow factory collapse in May 2004, whereby USAR and Mines Rescue Service teams worked closely together. I would anticipate that there will be future involvement between the USAR project and the Mines Rescue Service to address operational and other issues.

Neighbourhood/Community Warden Schemes

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what central direct funding his Department has provided to each local authority (a) neighbourhood and (b) community warden scheme since 1997.

Phil Woolas: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister made available 84 million to directly fund three rounds of warden schemes across England since 2000. Tables showing the funding to each local authority have been made available in the Library of the House.

Parish Precepts

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average parish precept in England was in each year since 199798; and what the estimated figure is for 200607.

Phil Woolas: For earlier years, I refer the hon. Member to the answer that I gave to the Member for Kettering on 12 December 2005, Official Report, column 1733W.
	The total amount precepted by parish and town councils for 200607 is 282 million. This is shown in Table 3 of the statistical release on the Levels of Council Tax Set by Local Authorities in England 200607, which is available at: http://www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/ctax/ctax067.pdf

Pathfinder Schemes

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the (a) targets and (b) performance indicators that the Government have set for each of the pathfinder schemes; and what the latest performance is against each.

Yvette Cooper: Data is not yet available for the outcome up to March 2006. Some pathfinders have adjusted the balance of their progress in response to consultation or changing market circumstances. In some areas development has been put back in order to incorporate longer consultations.
	The following table shows the key performance indicators that are contained in each pathfinder's funding agreement for the period between implementation of the agreement at 31 March 2006 and the performance against them up to September 2005, the latest information available.
	
		
			  Refurbishments Demolitions New Builds Acquisitions 
			 Pathfinder Planned output by March 2006 Completed to September 2006 Planned output by March 2006 Completed to September 2005 Planned output by March 2006 Completed to September 2005 Planned output by March 2006 Completed to September 2006 
		
		
			 Birmingham Sandwell 1,524 128 553 154 154 47 812 648 
			 East Lancashire 1,195 1,021 790 495 131 0 846 647 
			 Hull and East Riding 0 0 0 0 44 0 233 115 
			 Manchester 12,745 7,814 1,640 915 965 0 0 729 
			 Salford 13,425  1735  1,015
			 Merseyside 325 4357 2,734 161 1,642 6 2,787 1058 
			 Newcastle Gateshead 1,505 507 1,856 673 95 10 349 314 
			 North Staffordshire 320 452 89 277 0 6 0 251 
			 Oldham Rochdale 367 367 295 128 0 0 442 311 
			 South Yorkshire 2,073 1,009 1,618 1,402 112 0 0 1110

Pathfinder Schemes

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what legally binding (a) requirements, (b) contracts and (c) targets the Government have agreed with the pathfinder schemes.

Yvette Cooper: The pathfinders have funding agreements with the Government up to 31 March 2006. These agreements include expected levels of key outputs on the number of homes affected, but can also cover land and covered property in the areas.

Pathfinder Schemes

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 17 October 2005, Official Report, columns 81415W, to the hon. Member for Meriden (Mrs. Spelman) on pathfinder areas, if he will estimate (a) the number of demolitions funded by Housing Market Renewal Grant in each pathfinder area in (i) 200506 and (ii) 200607 and (b) the total payments to the housing market renewal pathfinders, including housing market renewal funding, for 200506.

Yvette Cooper: The following table provides information on the number of demolitions, refurbishments and new builds funded by the Housing Market Renewal Fund (HMRF) in 200506 as at 30 September 2005 (the latest information available) and the amount of grant payments to housing market renewal pathfinders in respect of expenditure between April 2005 and January 2006. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister have not yet concluded funding agreements for 200607 so estimates of outputs are not yet available.
	
		
			  Funded by housing market renewal grant up to 30 September 2005  
			 Pathfinder Refurbishments Demolitions New builds Grant payments to housing market renewal pathfinders in respect of expenditure in 200506 ( million) 
		
		
			 Birmingham Sandwell 118 83 0 18.024 
			 East Lancashire 347 98 0 34.916 
			 Hull and East Riding 0 0 0 3.894 
			 Manchester Salford 3,510 238 0 39.949 
			 Merseyside 1,911 39 0 46.143 
			 Newcastle Gateshead 18 264 1 24.288 
			 North Staffordshire 311 43 0 14.723 
			 Oldham Rochdale 958 50 0 24.985 
			 South Yorkshire 249 305 0 26.168

Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme

Philip Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of members of the Principal Civil Service pension scheme in his Department joined the scheme before the age of (a) 20, (b) 25, (c) 30, (d) 35, (e) 40, (f) 45 and (g) over 45 years old.

Jim Fitzpatrick: As at 24 March 2006 there were 3123 active members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and related agencies. The ages at which they joined the scheme are shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Age Number 
		
		
			 (a) before 20 500 
			 (b) 20 and before 25 921 
			 (c) 25 and before 30 520 
			 (d) 30 and before 35 286 
			 (e) 35 and before 40 302 
			 (f) 40 and before 45 232 
			 (g) 45 and after 362

Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme

Philip Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the current employer contribution rates to the Principal Civil Service pension scheme are; what assumed rate of return underlies those contribution rates; and what the contribution rate would be if the assumed rate of return was in line with current redemption yield on index-linked gilts.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office (Jim Murphy), on 29 March 2006, Official Report, columns 103031W.

Prudential Borrowing Rules

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans he has to change the prudential borrowing rules to allow arm's length management organisations to borrow for housing purposes.

Yvette Cooper: We have no plans to change the prudential borrowing rules to allow arms length management organisations to borrow for housing purposes

Regional Government

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total central government grant to English regional chambers will be for 200607.

Yvette Cooper: A total of 18,835,000 will be allocated to the eight regional assemblies and their umbrella body the English Regions Network.
	Additional funding will be made available to cover costs associated with the transfer to the regional assemblies of the responsibilities, previously held by the Regional Housing Boards.

Right to Acquire

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many units of social housing have been purchased under the Right to Acquire in England in each year of its operation.

Yvette Cooper: The total number of housing association homes purchased under the Right to Acquire in England in each year of its operation are tabled as follows.
	
		Right to Acquire sales year to 31 March
		
			 Sales year to 31 March Number 
		
		
			 2001 26 
			 2002 151 
			 2003 228 
			 2004 389 
			 2005 505 
		
	
	Note:
	The figures are derived from the Housing Corporation's Regulatory and Statistical Return (RSR).
	Source:
	RSR Section K Part 1 Q4 (2005), Section K Part 2 Q6 (2004), Section K Part 2 Q6 (2003),
	Section K Part 2 Q6 (2002), Section C Part 1 Q4 (2001)

Stamp Duty

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what estimate his Department has made of the average stamp duty paid by first-time buyers.

Yvette Cooper: There is no complete house price data available that identifies first-time buyers. Estimates from the Regulated Mortgage Survey, show that almost half the first-time buyers paid no stamp duty as the value of their property was below the stamp duty threshold. This estimate does not allow for buyers in Enterprise Areas where the threshold is higher. Averaging the stamp duty paid across all first time buyers who are not sitting tenants and who bought with a mortgage produces a figure of 1,500 for quarter 3 2005. In the Budget the Chancellor raised the threshold to 125,000.

Superannuation Liability

Philip Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what total amount of employers' normal contributions accruing superannuation liability charge has been accounted for by his Department in each of the last five years for which data is available.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) was created following the Machinery of Government changes on 29 May 2002. The amount of employers' accruing superannuation liability charges in respect of the principal civil service pension scheme for ODPM, including the Government Offices and the Department's Executive agencies, are as follows:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 200203 20,024,437 
			 200304 23,969,512 
			 200405 25,337,297

WORK AND PENSIONS

Administration Costs

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which functions of his core Department are carried out in (a) England and (b) London; and what administrative costs were associated with these functions for each area in the last year.

James Plaskitt: The administration budgets regime overseen by Treasury does not monitor country or regional administration costs separately.
	The Departmental Report (CMD 6539) contains information on the Corporate and Shared Services function in 200405. The most recent Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper (CMD 6639) contains the provisional 200405 departmental administration costs outturn.

Administration Costs

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what functions in his Department are carried out in Scotland; and what the administrative costs of these functions were in the last year for which figures are available.

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which functions of his core Department are carried out in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) Wales; and what administrative costs were associated with these functions for each area in the last year.

James Plaskitt: The administration budgets regime overseen by the Treasury relates to Whitehall Departments only. How running costs are controlled in the devolved Administrations is a matter for them. Treasury do not monitor administration costs by country separately.
	The most recent Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper (CMD 6639) contains the provisional 200405 departmental administration costs outturn and the Departmental Report (CMD 6539) contains information on the Corporate and Shared Services function in 200405.

Administration Costs

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the administrative costs were of each non-departmental public body for which he has responsibility in the last year for which figures are available; what the total of such costs was in that year; and whether the costs are regarded for the purposes of public expenditure statistical analyses as (a) identifiable and (b) non-identifiable.

James Plaskitt: The administration budgets regime overseen by Treasury does not include non-departmental public bodies. The only exception to this for the Department for Work and Pensions is the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The administrative costs for HSE in 200405 were 192.412 million net of income. These costs were identifiable.
	The most recent Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper (CMD 6639) contains the provisional 200405 departmental administration costs outturn.

Benefits

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the total processing time for each of his Department's administered benefits in (a) 2002, (b) 2003, (c) 2004, (d) 2005 and (e) the latest year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: In response to the question, processing targets and actual achievements against those targets for the Department of Work and Pensions administered benefits are listed in the following tables for Pension Service, Jobcentre Plus and Disability and Carers Service.
	Pension Service
	From 200506 performance data includes non-complex claims processed at the National Pension Centre alongside the claims processed at ordinary pension centres.
	
		
			  200203 200304 200405 200506(16) 
		
		
			 Retirement Pension/State Pension(17) ClearanceTarget 95 per cent. in 60 days (non-complex claims). A separate target for complex claims is relevant only from 200405 (Percentage) 94.7 (18)94.13 (19)95.06 (19)97.13 
			 State Pension Clearance (complex claims(20)). Target 91 per cent. in 85 days. A separate target for complex claims is relevant only from 200405 (Percentage) ; ; 87.95 90.95 
			 MIG ClearanceTarget 10 days. Due to implementation of Pension Credit end of year figures only relevant to 200203 (Days) 12.1 ;   
			 Pension Credit ClearanceTarget 10 Days. Implemented mid year in 200304 (Days) ; 12.31 10.3 8.63 
		
	
	(16) Year to date figure at December 2005.
	(17) Retirement pension became state pension in 200304.
	(18) Does not include National Pension Centre figures.
	(19) Includes National Pension Centre figures.
	(20) Complex claims are claims to state pension from customers who have been widowed or divorced and the spouse's national insurance contributions are taken into consideration.
	Jobcentre Plus The following tables contain annual actual average clearance (AACT) times for the three benefits administered by Jobcentre Plus going back to 2002.
	
		Actual average clearance times
		
			  19 day planning assumption 12 day planning assumption 
			  Incapacity benefit Income support Jobseeker's allowance(21) 
		
		
			 2002 16.5 10.2 10.2 
			 2003 16.0 10.3 10.8 
			 2004 17.0 10.9 12.0 
			 2005 15.4 10.9 13.7 
		
	
	(21) The JSA figures are April to March with the exception of 2005 which are December YTD.
	Disability and Carers Service The table shows targets and actual achievement.
	
		
			  Target 200203  Target 200304  Target 200405  Target 200506 YTD December 2005 
			  Average actual clearance time 200203 Average actual clearance time Average actual clearance time 200304 Average actual clearance time Average actual clearance time 200405 Average actual clearance time Average actual clearance time 200506 Average actual clearance time 
		
		
			 Disability Living Allowance 
			 New Claims (NR)43.0 42.0 42.0 39.7 39 36.2 39.0 34.5 
			 New Claims (SR) 8.0 7.0 8.0 6.1 8 5.7 8.0 5.6 
			 Renewals 32.0 28.6 32.0 28.2 32 28.2 32.0 30.7 
			 Reconsiderations 39.0 34.3 39.0 31.8 39 29.2 35.0 28.3 
			 Supersessions 49.0 44.9 48.0 41.5 48 40.0 48.0 41.7 
			 Appeals 40.0 32.1 40.0 30.0 40 30.5 37.0 30.6 
			  
			 Attendance Allowance 
			 New Claims (NR)27.0 24.2 26.0 20.8 24 18.2 22.0 17.9 
			 New Claims (SR) 8.0 5.6 8.0 4.9 8 4.5 8.0 4.5 
			 Renewals 23.0 18.5 23.0 15.5 23 15.0 23.0 15.1 
			 Reconsiderations 38.0 32.5 38.0 28.8 38 25.3 35.0 23.1 
			 Supersessions 38.0 34.7 37.0 27.9 37 24.8 37.0 25.0 
			 Appeals 40.0 31.5 40.0 27.4 40 25.8 35.0 24.2 
			  
			 Carers Allowance 
			 Claims 32.0 20.7 30.0 15.0 24 16.4 22.0 13.4 
			 Appeals 40.0 30.2 38.0 26.2 38 28.8 35.0 29.2 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.The figures are April to March with the exception of 2005 which is YTD December 2005.
	2.The special rules cover people who suffer from a progressive disease that is so severe that they are not expected to live longer than six months.
	3.Up to 200102 targets were performance indicators.
	4.From 200203 the target changed to the AACT (actual average clearance time) format.

Benefits

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 6 February 2006, Official Report, columns 86061W, to the hon. Member for Daventry, on benefits payments provision, how much his Department spent on the end-to-end delivery of the new debt management IT system introduced in August 2005.

James Plaskitt: The costs of the introduction of the new Debt Manager system stand at 22,207 million as at 31 January 2006. This cost includes all supplier costs, the costs of Project staff and Debt Management costs relating exclusively to the implementation of the new system.

Benefits

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many households containing children living in relative poverty received no council tax benefit in the latest year for which information is available; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The estimated number of households, with children, that received no council tax benefit, and whose household income was less than 60 per cent. of contemporary mediana measure of relative low incomeis in the following table:
	
		Number of households containing children in Great Britain, 200405
		
			  Households, with children, not in receipt of council tax benefit and in relative low income All relative low income households with children All households with children 
		
		
			 Before Housing  Costs 600,000 1,200,000 7,000,000 
			 After Housing  Costs 800,000 1,700,000 7,000,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Figures rounded to the nearest 100 thousand.
	2.Incomes below 60 per cent. of contemporary median is a measure of 'relative' low income.
	3.Estimates of income, and whether households were not in receipt of council tax benefit, relate to the household's status at the time they were interviewed for the FRS. The income measure used is weekly net (disposable) equivalised household income (that is to say income that is adjusted to reflect the composition of the household). The median relates to the middle-ranked individual.
	4.The estimates are based on sample survey counts, which have been adjusted for non-response and a number of other variables. Estimates are subject to both sampling error, and to the remaining variability in non-response which is not corrected by the adjustment method.
	Source:
	Households Below Average Income series (HBAI), derived from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). The HBAI series provides information on net disposable income. Figures are for 200405, the latest period for which data is available.
	People fail to take up their benefit rights, including council tax benefit, for a number of reasons. For example, the increasing number of home owners compared to tenants has had an impact on the number of people claiming council tax benefit. This is because home owners are likely to have less contact with the benefit system while tenants normally make a claim to council tax benefit at the same time as they make their claim for housing benefit.
	However, we are working hard to increase the take up of council tax benefit by making receipt of a council tax benefit as automatic as possible for everyone eligible. Departmental policy officials, working together with representatives from local authorities, Jobcentre Plus, The Pension Service and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs aim to develop recommendations shortly.

Benefits

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent on housing benefit for tenants in (a) council property, (b) housing association property and (c) the private sector in the last year for which figures are available.

James Plaskitt: Spending on housing benefit for all three tenant groups in 200405 is in the table.
	
		Spending on housing benefit by tenant groups
		
			  Estimated expenditure in 200405 ( million) 
		
		
			 Local Authority Tenants 5,208 
			 Registered Social Landlord Tenants 4,586 
			 Private Rented Sector Tenants 3,365 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.The figures presented are in  million and reflect nominal costs for the whole of Great Britain.
	2.They are total amounts paid to beneficiaries, irrespective of the source of funding, and include benefit spending reimbursed by DWP, spending on rent rebates financed within local authorities' housing revenue accounts, and benefit spending financed from local authorities' general funds.
	3.They reflect the latest benefit-by-benefit estimate of out-turn, and not the amounts voted by Parliament.
	4.This information is taken from the latest published housing benefit forecasts, available at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/Table8.xls

Benefits

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much in housing benefit was paid to tenants of (a) housing associations and (b) arms' length management organisations in each year since 1997; and what estimate he has made of the effect on costs in each year of tenants transferring from council management to registered social landlords as part of large scale voluntary transfers.

James Plaskitt: The amount of housing benefit paid to registered social landlord tenants each year since 1997 is in the table.
	Information is not available on the housing benefit paid to tenants of arms length management organisations.
	For information about the effect on costs in each year of tenants transferring from council management to registered social landlords as part of large scale voluntary transfers, I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave on 1 February 2006, Official Report, column 591W.
	
		Housing benefit paid to registered social landlord tenants
		
			  million 
		
		
			 199798 2,208 
			 199899 2,425 
			 19992000 2,697 
			 200001 3,019 
			 200102 3,407 
			 200203 4,155 
			 200304 4,246 
			 200405 4,586 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.The figures presented reflect nominal costs for the whole of Great Britain.
	2.They are total amounts paid to beneficiaries, irrespective of the source of funding, and include benefit spending reimbursed by DWP, spending on rent rebates financed within local authorities' housing revenue accounts, and benefit spending financed from local authorities' general funds.
	3.They reflect the latest benefit-by-benefit estimate of out-turn, and not the amounts voted by Parliament.
	4.Figures for 19992000 onwards are on a resource accounting and budgeting basis. There may be differences between figures quoted in these tables and those quoted in Department for Work and Pensions accounts.
	5.Some figures for past years may have changed since previous publications owing to the incorporation of more up-to-date information. Also please note that from April 2003 responsibility for child benefit, guardians allowance and child's special allowance has been transferred to Inland Revenue.
	6.Figures exclude asylum seekers from April 1999, since when the National Asylum Support Service has reimbursed DWP for benefits paid to asylum seekers.
	7.This information is taken from the latest published housing benefit forecasts, available at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/Table8.xls

Benefits

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent on housing benefit for tenants in (a) council property, (b) housing association property, (c) registered social landlord property and (d) private sector housing in Coventry in each of the last three years.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available broken down in the format requested. The latest available information for rent rebates, council tenancies, and rent allowance, all other tenancies, is in the tables.
	
		Housing benefit expenditure in Coventry city council:nominal terms --  million
		
			  Rent Rebates Rent Allowance 
		
		
			 200001 15.0 43.6 
			 200102 0.1 60.5 
			 200203 0.1 68.1 
		
	
	Note:
	Coventry city council undertook a large-scale voluntary transfer of housing stock to the Whitefriars Housing Group on 23 September 2000.
	Source:
	DWP expenditure tables derived from local authority claims for housing revenue account subsidy.

Benefits

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the requisite National Vocational Qualification level is for Jobcentre Plus advisers working with clients in receipt of incapacity benefits; whether the minimum qualification level must be in a relevant subject; and whether qualification requirements will be reviewed as part of the welfare reforms proposed in the paper A New Deal for Welfare: Empowering People to Work.

Margaret Hodge: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked me to reply to your question asking what is the requisite National Vocational Qualification level for Jobcentre Plus advisers working with clients in receipt of incapacity benefits, whether the minimum qualification level must be in a relevant subject and whether qualification requirements will be reviewed as part of the welfare reforms proposed in the paper A new deal for welfare: Empowering people to work. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Jobcentre Plus expects all Advisers to commit themselves to achieving an Advice  Guidance National Vocational Qualification.
	During 2004/05 Jobcentre Plus invested in 1,654 full National Vocational Qualifications of which 868 were Advice  Guidance Level 3 or 4 for Advisers. When deciding which National Vocational Qualifications to support, courses which benefit those Advisers who deal with Incapacity Benefit claimants are our top priority.
	The accreditation strategy across DWP is currently being reviewed to ensure that it supports the requirements of the welfare reform agenda.
	I hope this is helpful.

Bereavement Allowance

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many men received bereavement allowance in the last period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how many (a) widows and (b) widowers are receiving bereavement allowance; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: As at August 2005, there were 17,400 men and 37,400 women in receipt of bereavement allowance in Great Britain.

Capita

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many contracts his Department holds with (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries which still have a potential duration of five years or more.

Anne McGuire: holding answer 29 March 2006
	The Department has only one contract with Capita, with a potential duration of five years or more, let through an open competition following an advert in the Official Journal of the European Union. A Records Storage contract was awarded in 2004 and runs from 1 July 2004 to 30 June 2011 with option to extend for up to a further three years.

Child Poverty

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his latest estimate is of the proportion of children living in households below 60 per cent. of median income in each year since 197677 (a) before and (b) after housing costs; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: Specific information regarding low income for Great Britain is available in Households Below Average Income (HBAI) 1994/952004/05, available in the Library. The threshold of below 60 per cent. contemporary median income is the most commonly used in reporting trends in low income.
	There is no fully consistent time series using a single data source since 1979. The latest time series on a consistent basis is only available from 199495, which is sourced from the Family Resources Survey and covers Great Britain. Previous HBAI results were sourced from the Family Expenditure Survey (FES), which employed a slightly different definition of income and related to the United Kingdom. FES estimates are also presented for GB, for consistency with the FRS.
	The following table gives the proportions of children living in households with less than 60 per cent. of relative median household income for years that estimates are available from 1979. Information before 1979 is not available from official sources.
	
		Income below 60 per cent. of contemporary median income
		
			  Before housing costs After housing costs 
		
		
			 1979(22) 12 14 
			 1981(22) 18 20 
			 1987(22) 21 25 
			 198889(22) 23 26 
			 199091(22) 26 31 
			 199192(22) 27 32 
			 199293(22) 27 33 
			 199395(22) 25 32 
			 1979(23) 12 14 
			 1981(23) 17 19 
			 1987(23) 21 25 
			 198889(23) 23 26 
			 199091(23) 25 30 
			 199192(23) 26 31 
			 199293(23) 26 32 
			 199395(23) 25 32 
			 199495(24) 23 31 
			 199596(24) 22 31 
			 199697(24) 25 33 
			 199798(24) 25 32 
			 199899(24) 24 33 
			 19992000(24) 23 32 
			 200001(24) 21 30 
			 200102(24) 21 30 
			 200203(24) 21 28 
			 200304(24) 21 28 
			 200405(24) 19 27 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Table shows numbers in millions.
	2. The reference period for FRS figures is single financial years.
	3.FES figures are single calendar years from 197987, two combined calendar years from 198889 to199293 and two financial years combined for 199395.
	Sources:
	(22)Family Expenditure Survey (UK).
	(23)Family Expenditure Survey (GB).
	(24)Family Resources Survey (GB).
	Further information showing the proportion and number of individuals living in low income households, including annual levels, can be found in the publication Households Below Average Income 1994/952004/05. This also reports statistics between 1979 and 199596, using the data source and income definitions previously employed for the 'Households Below Average Income' series.

Child Support

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the (a) maximum, (b) minimum and (c) average length of time taken by the child support commissioners was to reach a decision on appeals placed by claimants relating to non-resident, non paying parents in the latest period for which figures are available.

Harriet Harman: I have been asked to reply.
	The Commissioners' Office decides appeals on a point of law from Appeal Service tribunals in social security, tax credit, housing benefit and council tax benefit cases as well as child support cases. It reports on the disposal times for its work taken as a whole, and does not separate performance statistics by individual benefit type. Performance data are generated via a database system that holds statistics on the overall work of the tribunal, and the format of this data cannot be manipulated to provide performance figures for child support cases only.

Child Support

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what his latest estimate is of the average time it takes the Child Support Agency to bring cases from first application to assessment;
	(2)  how many and what proportion of eligible parents received their first payment from the Child Support Agency within the time limit of six weeks during the last calendar year, broken down by month.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the chief executive. He will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Stephen Geraghty
	In reply to your Parliamentary Questions about enforcement activity in the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what his latest estimate is of the average time it takes the Child Support Agency to bring cases from first application to assessment.
	You also asked how many and what proportion of eligible parents received their first payment from the Child Support Agency within the time limit of six weeks during the last calendar year broken down by month.
	As at the end of December, of those cases that progressed to calculation since the introduction of the new scheme, the average time from first contact to calculation was 177 days (25 weeks). Of such cases, 24 per cent. received a calculation in less that 6 weeks; 49 per cent. between 6 weeks and 6 months; 16 per cent. between 6 months and a year; and 11 per cent. took more than a year.
	It should be noted, however, that the Agency does not regard an application as being cleared once a calculation alone has been carried out, but once collection arrangements have been agreed with the non resident. Additionally, since not all Child Support Agency applications result in a calculation, an application is also defined as cleared if the case is closed, the parent with care is identified as claiming Good Cause or is subject to a Reduced Benefit Decision, or the application is identified as being a change of circumstances on an existing case as opposed to a new application.
	As of the end of December 2005, for all cases cleared since the introduction of the new scheme, the mean average time taken to process a new-scheme application from the date of first contact to clearance, as defined above, was 193 days (28 weeks). Of those cases cleared, 25 per cent. did so in less that 6 weeks; 42 per cent. between 6 weeks and 6 months; 18 per cent. between 6 months and a year; and 16 per cent. took more than a year. However, it should be noted that these figures exclude 104,000 applications that came through the Jobcentre Plus interface and have been cleared, but for which management information does not enable the age at clearance to be determined.
	The Agency does not have a time limit for the time taken for a parent with care to receive their first payment.
	Information regarding the number and percentage of cases receiving a first payment within six weeks or longer is attached.
	Once a case has received a calculation, a method of collection must be agreed with the non-resident parent and set up by the Agency which, in the cases of a Direct Debit or a Standing Order, may take a few weeks. The day on which payment is due from the non-resident parent is then specified by the Agency having taken in to account the date of any other income payable to the non-resident parent, which may result in a delay of up to 4 weeks to make payment to the Agency. The Agency then has 10 days to process the payment from the non-resident parent and make payment to the parent with care.
	Delays may occur if a non resident parent does not comply. For an employed non-resident parent the Agency can then impose a Deductions from Earnings Order (DEO). Where this occurs, the Agency must contact and liaise with the employer to set up the DEO, wait for the subsequent payment from the employer, which in itself can take over 20 days, before money is available to be paid to the parent with care.
	The elapsed times between a payment request by the Agency and actual payment by the non resident parent mean that, even when the Agency becomes more efficient at processing applications to the point of calculation, and if the non resident parent accepted financial responsibility for their children without the need for enforcement action, it is unlikely that it would be physically possible for many parents with care to receive maintenance payments within 6 weeks of their first contact with the Agency.
	I hope you find this helpful.
	
		Cases where payment has been made from the Agency to the parent with care by time elapsed since first contact with the CSA -- Number
		
			  Cases receiving payment in 
			 Date of intake Less than six weeks Six weeks or longer Cases where payment not yet received Total 
		
		
			 2004 
			 January (25) 6,000 1,500 8,000 
			 February (25) 5,500 1,500 7,500 
			 March (25) 7,000 2,000 9,000 
			 April (25) 5,500 1,500 7,000 
			 May (25) 6,000 1,500 7,500 
			 June (25) 6,000 1,500 7,500 
			 July (25) 5,500 1,500 7,000 
			 August (25) 5,500 1,500 7,000 
			 September (25) 5,500 1,500 7,000 
			 October (25) 5,500 1,500 7,000 
			 November (25) 5,000 1,500 6,500 
			 December (25) 4,000 1,000 5,000 
		
	
	
		Cases where payment has been made from the Agency to the parent with care by time elapsed since first contact with the CSA -- Percentage
		
			  Cases receiving payment in 
			 Date of intake Less than six weeks Six weeks or longer Cases where payment not yet received Total 
		
		
			 2004 
			 January 2 76 21 8,000 
			 February 3 76 21 7,500 
			 March 2 77 21 9,000 
			 April 2 78 20 7,000 
			 May 2 79 19 7,500 
			 June 2 79 19 7,500 
			 July 2 79 19 7,000 
			 August 2 78 19 7,000 
			 September 3 77 20 7,000 
			 October 3 77 19 7,000 
			 November 3 75 22 6,500 
			 December 2 77 21 5,000 
		
	
	(25) Less than 250.
	Note:
	Numbers are rounded to the nearest 500, and percentages to the nearest whole per cent. As such, components may not sum to totals.

Child Support

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 23 February 2006, Official Report, column 53W, on the Child Support Agency, what the (a) shortest and (b) longest period was between the Child Support Agency notifying the Jobcentre Plus to deduct the five pound flat rate in maintenance from a non-resident parent's benefit and the maintenance deduction being made in the latest period for which figures are available.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is the matter for the Chief Executive. He will write to my right hon. Friend with the information requested.
	Letter from Hilary Reynolds
	In reply to your Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive. The Chief Executive is currently unavailable as he is communicating the Operational Improvement Plan to all Agency staff. I am responding on his behalf.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 23rd February 2006 Official Report column 53W on the Child Support Agency what the (a) shortest and (b) longest period was between the Child Support Agency notifying the Jobcentre Plus to deduct the five pound flat rate in maintenance from a non-resident parent's benefit and the maintenance deduction being made in the latest period for which figures are available.
	I assume that you intended to refer to the answer of 27th February 2006 Official Report column 238W, since this relates to the same subject as your current question.
	As I noted in my previous letter, information regarding the time taken between the Agency notifying Jobcentre Plus to set up a deduction from a non-resident parent's benefit and the maintenance deduction being made is not available.
	However, it is possible to provide indicative information using the difference between the date on which Jobcentre Plus notified the Agency that a collection schedule had been set up, and the date on which maintenance was received by the Agency. Due to limitations with currently available data, this indicative information can only be provided where:
	Payment had both been received from Jobcentre Plus and made to the parent with care.
	The case's original collection schedule was a deduction from benefit and was still in place at the time of first payment, i.e. excluding cases where there was a subsequent change of circumstance.
	Data in this area is extremely complex, and the analysis required to answer this question revealed anomalies in the base data that was used to provide my previous answer. In my previous letter, I stated that the average time between Jobcentre Plus notifying the Agency that a collection schedule had been set up and payment being received by the Agency was around 28 days. That figure should actually be 25 days.
	In December 2005, scheme to date, for all new-scheme cases:
	The shortest period of time between Jobcentre Plus notifying the Agency that a collection schedule had been set up and payment being received by the Agency was 0 daysthat is, the payment was received on the same day.
	The longest period of time was 692 days. But note that only 60 cases, out of 34,000 considered, took longer than 350 days to complete this process and in 75% of cases payment was received by the Agency in 29 days or less of Jobcentre Plus notifying the Agency that a collection schedule had been set up.
	I hope you find this useful, and I apologise for the error in the previous response.

Customer Management System

Anthony D Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what financial penalties have been imposed on (a) Electronic Data Systems, (b) the contractor and (c) the provider, in relation to the Customer Management System.

Margaret Hodge: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to my hon. Friend.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked me to reply to your question concerning the financial penalties that have been imposed on (a) Electronic Data Systems, (b) the contractor and (c) the provider, in relation to the Customer Management System (CMS). This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Rather than financial penalties, our contracts for the delivery of our IT services provide for payments to suppliers to be reduced or withheld in event that agreed performance standards are not met.
	The development of the CMS application was contracted on a fixed price basis, with payments conditional on our acceptance criteria being met by the agreed dates. In the case of CMS application delivery payments were withheld to IBM until the relevant criteria were met.
	Once the system is in use by our staff we monitor its performance to ensure it meets their needs in processing departmental business. For CMS, there are two key performance standards, Service Availability and Response Times. Service Availability measures when the CMS service is available for staff to use. Response Times measure the processing speed of the system in supporting staff in carrying out their duties. If the system fails to meet the required standards a deduction is made from the suppliers invoice reflective of the scale of the performance failure according to the terms of the contract.
	I can confirm that we have applied deductions during the operation of the service by EDS.

Debt Management

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department has spent on debt management (a) consultants and (b) staff training in each quarter since Q2 2001.

James Plaskitt: The financial records for debt management as a separate entity were not available prior to the financial year commencing April 2002.
	The following table provides details of the costs of consultants working for debt management, and identifiable costs of training debt management staff.
	
		 million
		
			 Period Consultants Staff training 
		
		
			 2002   
			 AprilJune 1.714 0.341 
			 JulySeptember 0.145 0.363 
			 OctoberDecember 1.193 0.574 
			
			 2003   
			 JanuaryMarch 0.933 0.521 
			 AprilJune 0.494 0.360 
			 JulySeptember 0.006 0.637 
			 OctoberDecember 0.881 0.432 
			
			 2004   
			 JanuaryMarch 0.482 0.796 
			 AprilJune 1.785 0.463 
			 JulySeptember 1.216 0.455 
			 OctoberDecember 0.608 0.491 
			
			 2005   
			 JanuaryMarch 3.058 0.704 
			 AprilJune 1.254 0.138 
			 JulySeptember 0.427 0.372 
			 OctoberDecember 1.024 0.445 
			
			 2006   
			 JanuaryMarch n/a n/a 
		
	
	n/a = not available.

Debt Management

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many individual debt cases have been opened in each quarter since Q2 2001; and how many of these cases were followed up with written correspondence.

James Plaskitt: The volume of debt cases opened in each quarter are shown in the attached table.
	Separate figures are not kept of the volume of letters issued. In the vast majority of recoverable overpayments the customer or their representative would have received at least one item of written correspondence. In the cases where the overpayment is classified as non-recoverable, correspondence would only be issued where it is considered they should have realised they were being overpaid.
	
		
			  Volume of new recovery overpayments in quarter Volume of new non-recovery overpayments in quarter Total volume of new debt 
		
		
			 200102
			 Qtr 1 136,968 7,535 144,503 
			 Qtr 2 140,630 7,094 147,724 
			 Qtr 3 133,038 7,117 140,155 
			 Qtr 4 158,095 6,837 164,932 
			 Total 568,731 28,583 597,314 
			 
			 200203
			 Qtr 1 131,374 5,637 137,011 
			 Qtr 2 125,221 3,920 129,141 
			 Qtr 3 120,330 3,705 124,035 
			 Qtr 4 133,427 4,312 137,739 
			 Total 510,352 17,574 527,924 
			 
			 200304
			 Qtr 1 88,709 2,968 91,677 
			 Qtr 2 97,658 3,251 100,909 
			 Qtr 3 88,747 2,692 91,439 
			 Qtr 4 111,594 2,834 114,428 
			 Total 386,708 11,745 398,453 
			 
			 200405
			 Qtr 1 88,244 2,062 90,306 
			 Qtr 2 94,061 2,651 96,712 
			 Qtr 3 98,586 1,814 100,400 
			 Qtr 4 126,271 1,844 128,115 
			 Total 407,162 8,371 415,533 
			 
			 200506
			 Qtr 1 129,234 1,413 130,647 
			 Qtr 2 67,258 4,016 71,274 
			 Qtr 3 122,426 3,651 126,077 
			 Qtr 4
			 Total 318,918 9,080 327,998

Departmental Expenditure

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department spent on bottled water in 200405.

James Plaskitt: The Department held contracts, across all the government office regions, with two suppliers in 200405 for the provision of bottled water, water cooler hire, cups and also covers delivery charges. Expenditure for the period was 435,000 and relates to these contracts only. We are unable to separate the costs for each individual element within the contracts without incurring disproportionate costs.
	It is very likely that the Department would have also provided bottled water at certain meetings as part of a refreshment order, however, we are not able to separate the cost for these from the overall refreshment costs.

Departmental Finance

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many cases of financial irregularities have been recorded in his Department in each of the last five financial years; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: Information is not available in the format requested.
	For such information as is available, in respect of the estimated cost of internal and contractor fraud to the Department, I refer the hon. Member to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 870W.
	The Department has a robust approach to the detection, prevention and deterrence of internal and contractor fraud. This approach is consistent with Treasury guidance.
	The Department has a fraud response plan and an anti-fraud policy in place. Investigations into suspected internal or contractor-related frauds are conducted by a professional and dedicated team.

Departmental Finance

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department's target is for paying invoices to contractors; and what percentage of bills were paid on time in the last period for which figures are available.

Margaret Hodge: All admin payments are made within the terms of the contract, or within 30 days of receipt of the goods/services or receipt of an invoice whichever is the later. The Departments target for paying invoices to contractors is 96.5 per cent. The percentage of bills, which were paid on time in the last period, period 10 of the current financial year for which figures are available, is 96.9 per cent.

Departmental Publications

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the instructional leaflets his Department and the agencies for which he has responsibility produced in the period from January to December 2005.

Anne McGuire: A list of the Department's leaflets that were current on the 16 February 2006 has been placed in the Library. Information on the instructional leaflets issued during the period January to December 2005 is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Staff

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people were employed by the (a) Rent Service, (b) Health and Safety Executive, (c) Department for Work and Pensions, (d) Child Support Agency, (e) JobcentrePlus and (f) Pension Service in each region in each of the last 12 months for which information is available; and how many and what percentage of posts were vacant in each month.

Anne McGuire: The figures requested are published in Civil Service Statistics. Table A of this publication covers staff numbers (on a full time equivalent and headcount basis) for each organisation as at 1 April 2004. The more recent data does not include a breakdown of DWP staff numbers by agency.
	Information on The Health and Safety Executive, part of the Department since June 2002, is available in the same publication.
	Civil Service statistics are available in the Library and at the following address on the Cabinet Office Statistics website: http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/statistics/index.asp
	Information on the number of vacant posts is not collected.

Household Income

Greg Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what methodology was used to produce the charts of income distribution for the total population published in each edition of Households Below Average Income; and whether corresponding figures and charts are available for particular sectors of the population.

Margaret Hodge: The latest Department for Work and Pensions' statistical publication Households Below Average Income (HBAI), published on 9 March 2006 provides charts showing the number of individuals living in Great Britain by ten pound equivalised income bands. Figure 2.1 (BHC) shows income measured before housing costs were deducted from household income, and Figure 2.1 (AHC) shows income after housing costs were deducted from income.
	The McClements equivalence scale was used to adjust for household income and household size and composition. Details of this and other factors included in the HBAI methodology can be found in Chapter 1 and Appendix 2 of the latest edition of HBAI, copies of which are available in the Library.
	Corresponding charts for children, working-age adults with and without children, and pensioners, are in Chapters 4, 5, and 6 respectively.

Job Search Appointments

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what arrangements are in place in jobcentres for dealing with clients arriving late for Job Search appointments;
	(2)  what the average waiting time is between a request for a Job Search appointment and the actual appointment in each Jobcentre Plus contract centre area.

Margaret Hodge: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked me to reply to your questions asking what arrangements are in place in jobcentres for dealing with clients arriving late for Job Search appointments and what the average waiting time is between a request for a Job Search appointment in each Jobcentre Plus contact centre area. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	People claiming working age benefits are usually required to attend regular appointments to discuss opportunities for work and to see what help Jobcentre Plus can provide. Those claiming Jobseeker's Allowance are normally required to attend fortnightly job search reviews and more in-depth appointments with a personal adviser at key stages of their claim if they are unable to find work quickly. Customers who attend on the correct day, but who are late, are told about the need to attend future appointments on time and that failure to do so might affect entitlement to benefit. Those who subsequently fail to attend on time or fail to attend any appointment on the correct date are required to show good cause; otherwise their benefit may be sanctioned.
	Alongside these regular and scheduled appointments, people may ask, at any time, for an appointment to see an adviser at their local Jobcentre. Wherever possible, we aim to see people immediately, but a forward appointment may be made. If someone attends late, we will still try to accommodate them, but where this is not possible another appointment will be made. There are no benefit implications for people arriving late for an appointment that has been arranged at their request and we do not monitor actual average waiting times for these types of appointments.
	Jobcentre Plus sets out in its Customers' Charter the standards of service we aim to meet. It is our stated intention to see people quickly and on time when they have an appointment. We are introducing revised service standards from 3 April 2006 and these are set out in Our Service Standards leaflet. A copy of the Customers' Charter and Our Service Standards can be found in the Library.
	I hope this is helpful.

Jobcentre Plus

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on planned Jobcentre Plus closures; and what (a) financial and (b) headcount implications are expected from each closure.

Margaret Hodge: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking if he will make a statement on planned Jobcentre Plus closures and what (a) financial and (b) headcount implications are expected from each closure. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Following the creation of Jobcentre Plus in 2002 a detailed service delivery planning exercise was carried out in each District, in consultation with local stakeholders, to identify the sites from which new processes and services would be best delivered. Jobcentre Plus inherited a network of around 1,500 offices from the former Employment Service and Benefits Agency, many of which were unsuitable due to the fabric of the building, or location or both. I have placed in the Library a list of the remaining sites to be closed as part of the Jobcentre Plus rollout. (Annex A).
	As a result of our decision in September 2004 to centralise the processing of benefits, 35 sites were identified for closure and I have placed in the Library a list of those 35 sites. (Annex B).
	We continuously evaluate our services and the network from which they are delivered. If it becomes clear that some of our offices are less cost efficient and that services can be more effectively delivered from an alternative location we will reconfigure our network. Reducing expenditure on our office network is part of our wider strategy for focusing resources more effectively on frontline advisory services to help our customers move into work. All closure proposals are agreed by the Minister of State and I have placed a list of those sites for closure as a result of the Jobcentre Plus implementation programme in the Library. (Annex C)
	Details of the annual running cost savings for each of the site closures are shown in each of the three lists placed in the Library. The planned closures will lead to a saving of 73.9 million for each year of the contract we have with Land Securities Trillium for management of the Departmental estate. The cost of delivering these savings is 38.9 million. This sum includes one off costs, which will be incurred between now and 2008, associated with decommissioning the offices, making any alterations back to the original condition where it is a condition of the lease and contractual fees payable to Land Securities Trillium under our contract with them.
	Closing Jobcentre Plus offices does not of itself produce headcount reductions. When planning the shape of the office network staff implications are considered fully, and it is our policy to make every effort to redeploy staff locally where possible.

Overpayments

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department has accrued in unrecovered overpayments in each quarter since Q2 2001; and what is the total level of accrued overpayments.

James Plaskitt: The details requested are in the following table.
	
		 million
		
			  Total value of new debt 
		
		
			 200102  
			 Quarter 1 81.2 
			 Quarter 2 87.7 
			 Quarter 3 78.0 
			 Quarter 4 91.5 
			 Total new debt in year 338.4 
			 Total cumulative debt stock at 31 March 20021,240.3 
			   
			 200203  
			 Quarter 1 75.6 
			 Quarter 2 76.1 
			 Quarter 3 75.2 
			 Quarter 4 85.3 
			 Total new debt in year 312.2 
			 Total cumulative debt stock at 31 March 20031,144.7 
			   
			 200304  
			 Quarter 1 65.1 
			 Quarter 2 68.9 
			 Quarter 3 68.0 
			 Quarter 4 83.2 
			 Total new debt in year 285.2 
			 Total cumulative debt stock at 31 March 20041,156.5 
			 200405  
			 Quarter 1 65.1 
			 Quarter 2 74.4 
			 Quarter 3 80.9 
			 Quarter 4 91.5 
			 Total new debt in year 311.9 
			 Total cumulative debt stock at 31 March 20051,229.8 
			   
			 200506  
			 Quarter 1 88.5 
			 Quarter 2 53.9 
			 Quarter 3 83.5 
			 Quarter 4  
			 Total new debt in year 225.9 
			 Total cumulative debt stock at 31 December 20051,354.0

Parliamentary Questions

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will reply to (a) Questions 38885, 38991 and 38992 on the Child Support Agency and the Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service tabled on 19 December 2005, (b) Question 41897 on the numbers of people employed at the Child Support Agency, Jobcentre Plus and other agencies tabled on 10 January 2006 and (c) Question 44602 on Child Support Agency assessments tabled on 17 January 2006.

James Plaskitt: Replies have been given to the hon. Member for all the questions as follows:
	(a) 38885, 38991 and 38992 on 1 February, Official Report, column 594W;
	(b) 41897 on 16 February, Official Report, column 2434W;
	(c) 44602 on 30 January, Official Report, column 275W.

Pathways to Work

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of Pathways to Work participants have received the return to work credit since inception.

Margaret Hodge: 18 per cent. of those who started on the choices programme providing support to incapacity benefit claimants have received return to work credit (RTWC) since the inception of the Pathways to Work Pilots. 8 per cent. of those who undertook a mandatory work focused interview have received a return to work credit.

Pathways to Work

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of Pathways to Work recipients who received the return to work credit have received it for (a) up to three months, (b) three to six months, (c) six to nine months, (d) nine to 12 months and (e) the full 12 months.

Margaret Hodge: The information requested is in the table.
	
		Duration of return to work credit award
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 Up to 3 months 12 
			 3 to 6 months 49 
			 6 to 9 months 3 
			 9 to 12 months 4 
			 Full 12 months 32 
		
	
	Note:
	Data are to October 2005.
	Source:
	Pathways to Work Evaluation Database.

Pathways to Work

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of new claimants of incapacity benefit in Pathways to Work pilot areas were returning claimants who had previously found employment through Pathways to Work in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Margaret Hodge: The most recent period for which figures are available is October 2005. In that month, five per cent. of people who contacted Jobcentre Plus to make a claim for incapacity benefit in Pathways to Work pilot areas were returning claimants who had previously found employment through Pathways to Work.
	Note :
	The statistics quoted in this response are taken from the Pathways to Work Evaluation Database.

Pathways to Work

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in receipt of incapacity benefit in the Bridgend area were supported to return to work as a result of the Pathways to Work pilot in that area.

Margaret Hodge: In the Bridgend area; 3,450 people in receipt of incapacity benefits; including 870 volunteers, have gained a job as a result of taking part in the Pathways to Work pilot in that area.
	The success of Pathways to Work has demonstrated that, with the right help and support, many people on incapacity benefits can move back into work reinforcing our view that labelling people as incapable of work is normally entirely inappropriate.

Pension Fund Trustees

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what powers (a) the pensions regulator and (b) other authorities have to disqualify or penalise pension fund trustees; and in what circumstances.

Stephen Timms: The pensions regulator is the statutory body set up to regulate occupational pension schemes. It inherited a range of powers from the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (OPRA) and has additional powers to enable it to deal with trustees of occupational pension schemes who are dishonest, unscrupulous or incompetent.
	The powers available to the pensions regulator include issuing prohibition orders to prevent a person from acting as a trustee if the regulator considers that the person is not a fit and proper person to act in this capacity. The regulator is required to keep a register of all people who are prohibited from acting as a trustee.
	Section 29(1) of the Pensions Act 1995 provides the grounds for a person being disqualified from being a trustee of any trust scheme. These include conviction of any offence involving dishonesty or deception.
	The regulator can also issue suspension orders so that a trustee can be suspended where consideration is being given to proceedings against that trustee.
	Section 10 of the Pensions Act 1995 enables the regulator to impose a fine on a person where it is satisfied that by reason of any act or omission a civil penalty is appropriate.

Pension Protection Fund

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the impact of small county court judgments on the Pension Protection Fund risk-based levy faced by pension providers.

Stephen Timms: In setting the risk-based levy for eligible pension schemes for 200607, the PPF used Dun and Bradstreet ratings which include county court judgements (CCJs) as one factor in assessing the risk of a business. As companies with CCJ's are more likely to become insolvent, then it is deemed fair that this should be reflected in the levy. Companies had until the 31 March 2006 to provide evidence that any recorded CCJs have been paid. The total pension protection levy which the PPF plans to raise in 200607 is 575 million across the pension schemes eligible for the PPF.

Pensions Day

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many participants had completed the National Pensions Day debate survey on his Department's website up to and including 18 March.

Stephen Timms: The number of National Pensions Debate surveys completed on-line on www.dwp.gov.uk/debate up to and including 18 March 2006 was 4,313.
	As of 27 March 2006, the total number of surveys returned has increased to 5,496.
	The results from the National Pensions Debate will be used to help inform the Government's White Paper due this spring.

Personal Capacity Assessment

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will establish an executive panel to review the personal capacity assessment; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: In our Welfare Reform Green Paper, A new deal for welfare: Empowering people to work, we set out our proposals to reform the current personal capability assessment. The current assessment focuses solely on a person's incapacity and what they cannot do. We intend to transform the assessment so that it also looks at a person's capabilities and the help and support they need to make full use of them.
	The current assessment was set up over 12 years ago. Since then there have been many changes to working patterns, illnesses and the types of medical treatment available and we want to ensure that the revised assessment process is fully equipped to deal with today's society and the challenges it faces.
	We are currently in the process of setting up a consultative group to advise us on our proposals to reform the personal capability assessment. This group will be made up of representatives from disability stakeholder and lobby groups, covering the full range of illnesses and disabilities.
	Meanwhile, as part of our work to ensure that the personal capability assessment reflects today's needs, we are also planning to review both the physical and mental health components of the assessment. We are setting up two working groups of relevant medical experts to carry out these reviews. The first meeting of the Mental Health Medical Working Group is planned to take place shortly, while the composition of the Physical Health Medical Working Group is still being determined. We are also establishing a specific Mental Health Consultative Group, as we recognise the unique problems that those with mental health conditions face. This group, made up of people with real experience of working with those with these conditions, will work alongside the Medical Working Group and ensure that the customer is at the heart of the review.
	Both working groups are due to report their findings to Ministers later in the year.

Post Office Accounts

Andrew Selous: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his oral answer of 13 March 2006, Official Report, column 1139, if he will list the 25 accounts from which those in receipt of pensions or benefits can access their cash at post offices.

James Plaskitt: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for North Shropshire (Mr. Paterson) on 14 February 2006, Official Report, column 1955W.

Post Office Accounts

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has received on his decision to discontinue the Post Office card account.

James Plaskitt: I and my ministerial colleagues have received a number of letters on the future of the Post Office card account. We have also answered questions in the House and responded to points raised during debates. We have already set out our policy on the Post Office card account at some length, including in the reply to the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 31 January 2006, Official Report, columns 44344W.

Tin-Lead Alloy

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many organ pipe makers have reported suffering illness as a result of working with tin-lead alloy in each of the last 10 years; and what research has been conducted on the health and safety effects of using tin-lead alloy in pipe organs.

Anne McGuire: HSE currently receives statutory medical information about people working with lead, under the Control of Lead at Work Regulations (CLAW). The purpose of these Regulations is to remove workers from exposure to lead, before any toxic effects can occur. Up until 2001, no more than 10 cases of lead poisoning were reported to HSE each year under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations.
	The nature of these two different information sources means that it is not possible to break this down into specific occupational groupingsand organ pipe makers, in particular.
	HSE's guidance advises that soldering and handling of clean solid metallic lead e.g. pipes, are not liable to result in significant exposure to lead. Therefore, HSE has not commissioned any research into the health and safety effects of using tin-lead alloy in pipe organs.

Tribunals System

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the success rate was of appeals taken before tribunals for each benefit in the last year for which figures are available.

Anne McGuire: This is a matter for Christina Townsend, Chief Executive of the Appeal Service, she will reply to my hon. Friend.
	Letter from Christina Townsend
	The Secretary of State has asked me to respond to your question regarding what the success rate was of appeals before tribunals for each benefit in the last year for which statistics are available.
	The information you ask for is contained in the table attached.
	I hope this reply is helpful.
	
		Appeals cleared at hearing by benefit and outcome
		
			 Benefit Cleared at hearing Cleared in favour Percentage cleared in favour 
		
		
			 Not known 435 110 26 
			 Pension Credits 980 310 32 
			 Working Tax Credit 550 30 6 
			 Child Tax Credit 435 90 20 
			 Child Support Reforms 1,195 445 37 
			 Widows Benefit 345 55 16 
			 Social FundMaternity Payments 515 55 10 
			 Social FundFuneral Payments 1,755 305 17 
			 Severe Disablement Allowance 170 80 47 
			 Retirement Pension 1,055 85 8 
			 Jobseekers Allowance 6,190 1,845 30 
			 Invalid Care Allowance/Carers Allowance 965 150 16 
			 Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit 9,480 3,710 39 
			 Income Support 9,495 3,135 33 
			 All Personal Capability Assessment (not Incapacity Benefit) 760 295 38 
			 Incapacity Benefit (not Personal Capability Assessment) 4,565 1,730 38 
			 Incapacity Benefit (Personal Capability Assessment) 44,185 21,235 48 
			 Housing / Council Tax Benefit 2,815 885 31 
			 Housing Benefit 2,975 900 30 
			 Disability Living Allowance 71,370 35,905 50 
			 Council Tax Benefit 835 205 24 
			 Compensation Recovery Unit 905 630 70 
			 Child Support Departures Referral 95 65 69 
			 Child Support Departures Appeal 500 225 45 
			 Child Support Assessments 1,255 605 48 
			 Child Benefit/One Parent Benefit 710 80 11 
			 Attendance Allowance 5,665 2,310 41 
			 Other 425 130 30 
			 Total 170,640 75,595 44 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.Data are taken from the Management Information System (MIS) computer system.
	2.Figures have rounded to the nearest 5.
	3.Figures are for the calendar year (January to December) for 2005.
	4.All figures are subject to change as more up to date data become available.
	5.Figures for the latest months will rise significantly as information feeds through to the Appeals Service.
	6.Other refers to types of appeals which have low numbers, they have been summed to preserve the anonymity of the appellant.
	Source:
	DWP, Information Directorate

Uncollected Debt

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much uncollected debt was referred out to private partners under the enforcement initiative during each quarter since the second quarter 2004.

James Plaskitt: The following table shows the total debt referred to the private sector partners. This includes benefit debt and Social Fund Loans. Some of the debt will have been referred back to the department, for example when the debtor has returned to benefit.
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 200405  
			 Quarter 1 78 
			 Quarter 2 38.4 
			 Quarter 3 22.9 
			 Quarter 4 33.4 
			 200506  
			 Quarter 1 15.9 
			 Quarter 2 0 
			 Quarter 3 (to 31 January 2006) 3.5

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Additional Learning Support (West Midlands)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much her Department has spent on additional learning support in (a) Coventry, South and (b) the west midlands region.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 29 September 2005
	The Coventry Excellence Cluster, which began in September 2001, has received a total of 7,708,174. For this financial year (200506) it has received 3,561,213. About half of this sum was allocated to fund Learning Mentors and Learning Support Units to tackle barriers to learning and provide extra support to pupils with learning difficulties. The Excellence Cluster initially covered seven schools in the Coventry, South constituency, but from September 2006, all secondary schools in Coventry, South have benefited from Excellence in Cities (EiC) funding.
	Other local authorities in the west midlands region have also benefited from EiC funding. Birmingham, Sandwell, Solihull, Walsall, Wolverhampton and Stoke-on-Trent, have participated in the full EiC programme and others have received targeted EiC funding. As a result, authorities in the west midlands collectively received 159,131,969 over the lifetime of the EiC programme.

Adult Education

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assistance her Department is providing to adults in Hartlepool to improve and increase their level of skills.

Phil Hope: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. Mark Haysom, the council's chief executive, has written to my hon. Friend with this information and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.
	The Government's Skills Strategy, outlined in the two White Papers, 21st Century Skills: Realising Our Potential (July 2003) and Skills: Getting on in business, getting on at work (March 2005), sets out our plans for ensuring that individuals have the skills needed to be both employable and personally fulfilled. Everyone studying literacy and numeracy skills or a first full level 2 qualification, and all those on jobseeker's allowance or income related benefits and their dependents will continue to receive free tuition in further education. All have access to in-depth advice about their careers and training through the Learndirect one-stop telephone and on-line advice service.
	The Government's PSA target on adult attainment challenges us to reduce by at least 40 per cent. the number of adults in the work force who lack NVQ Level 2 (equivalent to five A-C GCSEs) by 2010. Previous progress has been good; the proportion of adults in the work place qualified to Level 2 and above rose from 65 per cent. in 1997 to 72 per cent. in 2004.
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 5 April 2006
	I write in response to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding Skills for adults.
	LSC funding of 3m. Per annum is contracted to Hartlepool training providers to address skills for adults. This covers programmes in the two Further Education providers, Apprenticeships for 1925 year old learners, Adult and Community Learning services contracted through the Local Authority and NVQ Level 2 and Skills for Life programmes for employers funded through Train to Gain pilots. In the three years since March 2003, more than 23,000 individuals have enrolled on courses. Available programmes cover the range from community based foundation programmes, through full and part NVQ level 2 and 3 courses, to Foundation Degrees run in partnership by the local Further Education College and Teesside University. There is a strong focus on Skills for Life programmes. Vocational areas include construction and engineering, health and care, and business administration.
	Further Education
	More than 9m (9,049,596) has been spent between 03/04 and 05/06 on adult learning through providers based principally in Hartlepool. This has been for 21,044 learners, enrolled on 29,244 courses. The percentage of enrolments within this group that are Skills for Life has risen from 11.5% to 15% over the years. Those within the National Qualification Framework (i.e. those resulting in a recognised qualification) have risen from 35% to 61% of the total enrolments by adult learners. The percentage of qualifications in Level 1 has fallen from 45% to 29%, with a rise in Level 2 from 15% to 22% and Level 3 from 13% to 23%. The sector benefiting the most from policy changes in provision has been the Health, Public Services and Care sector, with a cumulative total share of 36% of the enrolments between 03/04 and 05/06.
	Success Rates for the year 04/05 are not yet final, but the overall Success Rates in Further Education for providers based principally in Hartlepool rose by 13% between 02/03 and 03/04, from 66% to 79%. This is well above the national average of 70% for the adult group.
	Work-Based Learning
	The number of adults from Hartlepool in learning in Work Based Learning has varied between 216 and 253 over the past three years (for all LSC-funded provision), the greater number participating in Apprenticeships. The overall success rates for Hartlepool residents in Work Based Learning have risen from 47.4% to 55.8% in 03/04 and 04/05 respectively, as compared to the national averages of 46.0% and 53.0%.
	Skills for Life
	From 2000/01 to 2004/5, the cumulative total number of adult learners achieving at least one Skills for Life qualification is 1,888, with 1,099 (58.2%) counting towards the Public Service Agreement target. This is the aggregate of 4,138 opportunities taken up, 3,579 courses completed, and 2,888 achieved. 2,623 taken up, 2,082 completed and 1,420 achieved counted towards the Public Service Agreement target. These figures are best estimates based on providers located in Hartlepool.
	Adult and Community Learning
	The number of learners accessing Adult and Community Learning in the one Hartlepool-based provider has reduced by almost 20%, from 1,148 to 936 in 03/04 and 04/05 respectively. This is in line with a national reduction in Adult and Community Learning learner numbers of 23.7% from 03/04 to 04/05. The cash allocation however has increased by over 20%, from 553,175 to 671,543.
	The reduction in volumes of learners is because short course options have been cut (e.g. one day courses) in favour of longer/accredited courses. However, not included in the figure above are 282 short courses delivered to first time adult learners Hartlepool and 140 courses through Neighbourhood learning in deprived communities.
	Hartlepool accounts for approximately 14% of the adult population of Tees Valley. The service attracts 16% of the Further Education budget contracted to Local authorities in the Tees Valley and 15% of the Adult and Community Learning budget.
	Employer Training Pilot (now Train to Gain)
	444 Hartlepool learners have participated in phase 3 of the employer training pilot. 426 started A-level 2 qualification of which 343 completed (80%). 18 participated in skills for life programmes, of which 14 achieved (78%).

Adult Education

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the level of Government funding for adult education for people on (a) benefits and (b) low incomes was in Shrewsbury in (i) 2001 and (ii) 2005.

Phil Hope: The Department allocates funds for post-16 education and training to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) working through 47 local offices. The LSC was established in 2001 bringing planning and funding of post-16 education under one body within a framework set by Government. Budgets are not allocated specifically for people on benefits or those on low incomes, although there are a number of arrangements in place to help ensure these learners can access education and training such as learner support funds, fee remission and free provision for Skills for Life.
	The total overall spend on all adult programmes for 200102 was reported in the LSC's Annual Report and Accounts as 2,236 million. The funding allocated for the LSC's major education and training programmes only for adults for 200506 is 2,851 million. The Department does not hold figures for adult education at a local level. I am therefore copying this letter to Mark Haysom, the council's chief executive so that he can respond in more detail to your request. A copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 5 April 2006
	I write in response to your recent Parliamentary Questions regarding funding for adult education for people on benefits and low incomes in Shrewsbury and funding to allow the Skills for Life section of Shrewsbury Sixth Form College to remain open.
	Shropshire LSC funding for adult education is through Adult and Community Learning (ACL) which is delivered by Shropshire County Council, the ACL funding is for Shropshire as a whole and therefore this makes it difficult to show exactly what has been earmarked for Shrewsbury, the following is a rough guide to allocations.
	
		
			  20012 SCC LSC revenue allocation for County 365,879  20056 SCC LSC revenue allocation for County 467,858 (excluding family learning funds of 150,172) 
		
		
			 Shrewsbury -Gateway Centre and provision 163,000 ShrewsburyGateway Centre and provision 285,180 
			 Shrewsbury schools ACL 24,550 Shrewsbury schools: New ACL centres at Grange and Sundorne schools 38,000 (includes some extended schools funds) 
		
	
	Skills for Life provision is a high priority. The LSC has clearly stated in its annual statement of priorities that Adults without basic skills are entitled to free learning. As a result of this commitment, LSC resources both nationally, regionally and locally are increasingly focused on securing this priority activity.
	The funds committed to Skills for Life in Shropshire has increased from 1,960,235 in 04/05 to 3,510,250 in 05/06. In addition to this core activity, Shropshire learners have benefited from a further 94,000 of investment in Skills for Life activity through the Employer Training Pilot and 641,412 funded through European Social Funds activity in 05/06.
	Shropshire LSC 2004 target for skills for life achievements (6177) was exceeded by 8% with a total achievement of 6,692. A further 2,252 achievements will be required in 2006/2007 to deliver Shropshire's contribution to the national 2007 target.
	Shrewsbury Sixth Form College delivered Skills for Life activity to a funding value of 87,362 in 04/05 and was allocated a further 65,000 for Skills for Life provision in 05/06.
	In the funding and planning dialogue for 06/07 the college was initially offered an indicative allocation for adult programme delivery of 132,639 (including Skills for Life) but the college itself requested the opportunity to review this provision due to its desire to focus development on its key mission: As a high quality post 16 establishment, Shrewsbury Sixth Form College is dedicated to meeting the needs of all its learners in a supportive and challenging environment. It specialises in the provision/teaching of advanced level courses for 1619 full time students.
	The college has seen significant growth in its delivery of 1618 learning with an additional 82 learners from 04/05 to 05/06, with a planned cohort of 1318 for 06/07 and it has an outstanding record of delivery at level 3. Through the recognition of its mission, core specialisation, forward thinking and innovative co-location discussions with Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology, the sixth form college senior managers identified that Skills for Life provision may be more efficiently and effectively placed for delivery with other local providers.
	Consequently, the value of funding allocation that had been earmarked for Skills for Life provision for adults in 06/07 at the college 95,928 has by mutual agreement been transferred across to Shrewsbury College of Art and Technology, thereby ensuring that the provision of Skills for Life learning remains local and available to the people of Shrewsbury.
	In summary, the Secretary of State, through the LSC is continuing to fund Skills for Life provision for learners in Shrewsbury, through the college of arts and technology rather then through the sixth form college. Both colleges are fully committed to maintaining accessible and high quality Skills for Life provision. This transfer of provision, agreed by all parties, supports the LSC's targets of providing high quality learning opportunities to make England better skilled and more competitive.
	I trust the information provided answers your questions, if I can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

A-levels

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the funding required to include optional harder questions in A-level testing.

Jacqui Smith: The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is funding the modelling and trialling of options for introducing greater stretch and challenge into A-level. Trialling will begin in September 2006. The funding required to deliver revised A-level examinations will be considered as part of the evaluation of the trials. In reforming A-levels from six assessment units to four we will reduce the number of A-level exams. This reduction should lead to lower exam fees for schools and colleges.

A-levels

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps the Government are taking to improve A-level results of inner-city students.

Jacqui Smith: Reforms to qualifications are aimed at benefiting all students who take them. The reforms we made to A-level as part of the Curriculum 2000 reforms helped to improve results for all A-level students. The further improvements planned for A-level as part of our 1419 reforms will benefit all those embarking on A-level programmes, including those in inner city areas.
	Aimhigher is a national programme that operates more intensively in disadvantaged areas. It aims to raise aspiration and attainment levels among young people from backgrounds currently under-represented in higher education. Evaluation indicates that it is having a positive effect on aspirations and attainment among target beneficiaries.

Brentford and Isleworth (Examination Grades)

Ann Keen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the number of pupils reaching grades C and above in mathematics and English in the constituency of Brentford and Isleworth in each year since 2001.

Jacqui Smith: The figures requested are shown in the following table.
	
		Number and percentage of 15-year-olds(26)achieving A* to C grades in GCSE English(27)and mathematics(28)in Brentford and Isleworth constituency, maintained schools only
		
			  Number of 15-year-old pupils(26) Number achieving A*-C in English(27) and mathematics(28) GCSE Percentage achieving A*-C in English(27) and mathematics(28) GCSE 
		
		
			 2004/05 1,828 958 52.4 
			 2003/04 1,823 901 49.4 
			 2002/03 1,795 837 46.6 
			 2001/02 1,784 839 47.0 
			 2000/01 1,788 781 43.7 
		
	
	(26)Age at the start of the academic year (i.e. 31 August).
	(27)English includes English and English language.
	(28)Mathematics includes mathematics, additional mathematics and statistics.
	As far as the national picture is concerned, the proportion of 15-year-olds achieving A*-C grades in English and mathematics GCSE has improved by 3.6percentage points, from 41.9 per cent. in 2001 to 45.5 per cent. in 2005.

Capita

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the value of contracts held by her Department with (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries was in the last three financial years.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 29 March 2006
	A complete answer to this question could only be supplied at disproportionate cost as the department does not maintain a central record of all contracts.
	I can tell you, however, from the records that the Department does hold on Capita and its subsidiaries the following information on contracts:
	Current contracts with Capita
	Teachers' Pensions Administration from 2003 to 2010 value estimated 60.5 million Connexions Card from 2002 to 2008 value estimated 108.8 million National Strategies 2005 to 2010 value estimated 180 million Criminal Records Bureau Checking Service 2006 to 2008 value estimated 2 million
	Expired contracts with Capita in the last three financial years
	London Challenge 2004 to 2005 approximate value 95,000.

Capita

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many tenders (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries have submitted to her Department in each of the last three years; and how many tenders were successful.

Bill Rammell: holding answer 29 March 2006
	This information could be supplied only at disproportionate cost.

Capita

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much business her Department has placed with (a) Capita Group plc and (b) its subsidiaries in each of the last five years; what the total value is of outstanding contracts placed with Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries by her Department; for which current tenders issued by her Department (i) Capita Group plc and (ii) its subsidiaries have been invited to bid; and whether (A) Capita Group plc and (B) its subsidiaries have seconded staff (1)temporarily and (2) on a longer-term basis to (X) her Department and (Y) its agencies.

Bill Rammell: Information on how much business the Department has placed with Capita Group and its subsidiaries in each of the last five years could be supplied only at disproportionate cost. Comprehensive information on what the total value is of outstanding contracts placed with Capita Group and its subsidiaries could be supplied only at disproportionate cost as the Department does not maintain a central record of all contracts. I can tell the hon. Member, however, from the records that the Department holds on Capita and its subsidiaries the following information on outstanding or current contracts:
	Current contracts with Capita
	Teachers' Pensions Administration value estimated 60.5 million.
	Connexions Card value estimated 108.8 million.
	National Strategies value estimated 180 million.
	Criminal Records Bureau Checking Service value estimated 2 million.
	The total estimated value of the current contracts with Capita for which we hold records is 351.3 million.
	Information on which current tenders issued by her Department, Capita Group and its subsidiaries have been invited to bid could be provided only at disproportionate costs.
	There are no employees of Capita Group or its subsidiaries seconded to the Department.

Capital City Academy

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures the Capital City Academy in Brent is taking to raise its standards; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The Ofsted report of March 2006, rated the Academy's overall effectiveness as satisfactory, with many strengths and also showing a significant improvement since it opened in 2003. The Department will continue to work closely with the Academy to support it in raising standards by building on the strategies already in place to provide the best possible education for its students.
	The Academy's predecessor school, Willesden High, had been in special measures for four and a half years before its closure.

Cared-for Children

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills under what circumstances (a) a local authority, (b) an agency acting on its behalf and (c) another statutory organisation can be involved in the placement of a child with family members or friends without the child becoming a looked after child.

Maria Eagle: The Children Act 1989 makes clear that a child may become looked after by a local authority when:
	A care order is made because the child is at risk of significant harm or is beyond parental control.
	The child is accommodated after an agreement has been made with the child's parents.
	The child is accommodated because no person has parental responsibility for him.
	Parents may make private arrangements for their child to be cared for by another adult, without the child becoming looked after, in the meaning of the terms of the Children Act 1989. Such placements may be facilitated by the local authority, the police or another organisation where appropriate. For example, a local authority might organise and support a family group conference at which it is decided that a child should live with another member of the family or the police might transport children to a relative at the request of a parent, after the parent has been imprisoned or incapacitated. In some circumstances, the local authority may assist family and friends carers with seeking a residence order, where its assessment causes it to form the view that such a step is in the best interests of the child.
	Carers of children, who are not looked after, are not required to be in contact with their local authority, unless they fall within the definition of private foster carers. Where they are private foster carers, they are required to notify the relevant local authority. It has a range of duties designed to check the suitability of the carer and protect the welfare of the child.

Child Abuse

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 13 March 2006, Official Report, column 1860W, on child abuse, who was commissioned by the Department to report on the scale of alleged child abuse related to witchcraft practices.

Maria Eagle: holding answer 30 March 2006
	Eleanor Stobart was commissioned by my Department to carry out the study to scope the problem of child abuse in England linked to belief in possession or witchcraft, or in other ways related to particular spiritual or religious belief, and to consider the circumstances leading to such abuse and the common features between cases.

Child Protection

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what measures she is taking to ensure that full screening takes place in relation to child protection issues in the provision of (a) child care in all settings from birth to entry to school and (b) youth services.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 19 January 2006
	It is already a requirement that childcare for under 8s must register with Ofsted in order to operate. Regulations under the Children Act 1989 require Ofsted to undertake a range of checks, including enhanced CRB disclosures to ensure that nursery and playgroup providers are suitable to care for children. Such checks mean that Ofsted have robust systems in place for preventing unsuitable people from working with young children. We are reviewing the scope of regulations to ensure that there are no further safeguards we need to put in place.
	Arrangements in place to safeguard young people in receipt of youth services delivered by local authorities are covered by The Protection of Children Act (PoCA) 1999.
	These arrangements include checking the names of prospective employees against the PoCA list through the Criminal Records Bureau, and against List 99. As a result of inclusion on the PoCA list an individual will be disqualified from working with children for the purposes of Section 35 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000. We are currently reviewing arrangements to ensure that any risk to young people is managed effectively.

Child Protection

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what child protection procedures are in place to ensure that staff working in (a) further education colleges and (b) early years settings do not pose a risk to children; and if she will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: This Government's ambition is to make safeguarding children everyone's business. We want our children to be safe in all settingsand that requires everyone to play their partin Government, as parents, citizens, in the police, local authorities, health bodies, voluntary and private sector organisations.
	My statements of 19 January and 1 March, and my report of 19 January, published alongside the statement covered this wider safeguarding agenda, as well as focusing on specific settings where appropriate. List 99 currently covers positions working with children in schools, FE institutions and LEA education services. In addition, the PoCA list is held by my Department pursuant to the Protection of Children Act 1999; this legislation places a statutory duty on child care organisations, employing people in child care or regulated positions (as defined in section 36 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000), to refer the names of individuals who fulfil criteria making them unsuitable to work with children. The Act also permits other organisations, such as voluntary organisations, sports clubs and scout associations to refer those working in child care positions who meet the criteria for possible inclusion in the PoCA list. A person whose name is included in the PoCA list will be barred from working in a regulated position, for example, a position whose normal duties include work in an educational institution or a position whose normal duties include work on day care premises. Indeed, under the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000, it is a criminal offence for such people to seek or obtain work in a regulated position, just as it is a criminal offence for employers to knowingly offer work in a regulated position or fail to remove such a person from employment in a regulated position.
	The Department's guidance note Child Protection: Preventing Unsuitable People from Working with Children and Young Persons in the Education Service issued in June 2005 provides current advice for employers in the education service on preventing unsuitable people from working with children and young persons.
	In addition, mandatory CRB checks will be implemented for schools through amendment regulations to be made under sections 35 and 36 of the Education Act 2002 (and section 72 of the School Standards and Framework Act (SSFA) 1998)this will effect amendments to the current School Staffing (England) Regulations 2003. Changes announced by the Secretary of State (on 1 March 2006) will mean that existing arrangements become compulsory for schools through the proposed amendments, which will make an on appointment CRB check compulsory for all new appointments to the schools workforce. We are looking to apply similar mandatory checks for teachers, tutors and trainers working in FE institutions.
	Providers of childcare for under-8s must be registered by Ofsted in order to operate, and the registration process includes an enhanced disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau to ensure that those providing and managing the service are suitable to work with children. Ofsted also checks those living in the households of registered childminders and, on inspection, checks to ensure that employers have in place vetting procedures to ensure that their staff are suitable to look after children.

Child Protection

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether a Criminal Record Bureau check was requested on William Gibson by (a) Dorset county council and (b) the head teacher or other authorised staff at (i) Porchester school in Bournemouth and (ii)Hebburn comprehensive school.

Ruth Kelly: My Department does not hold this information.
	We have made it clear in successive guidance that CRB checks are strongly recommended as part of the appointment process on anybody who will be working in a school, further education institution or LEA education service.
	Safeguarding Children in Education (September 2004) emphasises the wider responsibilities on employers including adopting recruitment practices which involve scrutinising applicants, verifying any qualifications, obtaining references, checking previous job history as well as a check of List 99 and CRB check where appropriate.
	Existing arrangements will become compulsory for schools through regulations to be made under sections 35 and 36 of the Education Act 2002 (and section 72 of the School Standards and Framework Act (SSFA) 1998)these will amend the current School Staffing (England) Regulations 2003 and will make a CRB check compulsory prior to, or as soon as practicable after, all new appointments to the schools workforce, where the individual concerned has not worked in a school or institution within the further education sector for at least three months prior to this appointment.

Child Protection

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research she has carried out to establish how many individuals whose names appear on the sex offenders register have been employed in the provision of child care in any regulated pre-school setting in the last four years.

Ruth Kelly: Any individual who appears on List 99 or the POCA List (other than provisionally) on the grounds of unsuitability to work with children is barred from working in a regulated position within the meaning of section 36 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000 which includes, for example, a position whose normal duties include work on day care premises or a position whose normal duties include caring for, training, supervising or being in sole charge of children.
	Employment decisions are a matter for individual employers and that involves making thorough checks on any individual whose work will bring them in to contact with children. Providers of child care for under-eights must be registered by Ofsted in order to operate, and the registration process includes an enhanced disclosure from the Criminal Records Bureau to ensure that those providing and managing the service are suitable to work with children.
	I have not commissioned research to establish how many individuals whose names appear on the sex offenders register have been employed in the provision of child care in any regulated pre-school setting in the last four years.

Children Missing Education

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance is issued to social workers regarding children they identify as missing education.

Maria Eagle: In July 2004 the Department of Education and Skills issued good practice guidance for local authorities to use to help them identify children missing education: Identifying and maintaining contact with children missing, or at risk of going missing, from education. The local authority teams responsible for identifying children missing education are expected to work with their colleagues in children's social care services, and other local partners, to ensure that practitioners notify them of any children they identify as missing education.
	Additionally, we are currently revising the guidance for agencies on safeguarding children: Working together to safeguard children: a guide to inter-agency working to safeguard and promote the welfare of children. The revised guidance will make it clear that social care workers and other practitioners working with children should inform their nominated local authority contact on children missing education if they know or suspect that a child is not receiving education. It also signposts the good practice guidance on children missing education, as an aid for local agencies and professionals, including social workers.

Civil Service

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether her Department is on target to meet the 2004 spending review target to reduce the number of its civil service posts to 1,960 by 200708.

Maria Eagle: The Department is committed to achieving a total of 1,460 staff reductions by end March 2008 in response to the 2004 spending review; in addition the Office for Standards in Education has a target to reduce by 500 staff by the same date.
	(a) The Department is on target to achieve these reductions. It set an interim target to reduce by 850 posts against the October 2003 baseline by end March 2006. At 1 March 2006 the reductions totalled 883 posts.
	(b) The Office for Standards in Education has already met its target of 500 reductions. Its full time equivalent staffing total as at 31 December 2005 was 2,280 against a baseline of 2,814, a reduction of 534 posts.

Correspondence

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she will reply to the letter of 14 February 2006 from the hon. Member for Walsall, North concerning a constituent.

Maria Eagle: holding answer 23 March 2006
	I responded to my hon. Friend's letter on 20 March.

Criminal Record Bureau

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she will issue guidance on the portability of Criminal Record Bureau checks.

Ruth Kelly: Policy on the portability of Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks is primarily a matter for the CRB itself. My Department will, however, be consulting later this year on revised guidance to schools and local authorities on vetting and recruitment, and portability of CRB checks will be a relevant issue.

Cyber-bullying

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps the Government are taking to combat cyber-bullying among school children.

Jacqui Smith: The Government have made clear that all forms of bullying, including cyber-bullying, are unacceptable and must be punished.
	The Department's anti bullying pack for schools Don't Suffer in Silence, gives advice on approaches to combating all forms of bullying, including online and bullying by text message. We are currently reviewing this guidance to see if it needs strengthening and to ensure that schools have the most up-to-date information available.

Degree Courses

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) male and (b) female students are studying the thirty most popular degree courses.

Bill Rammell: The latest available figures are given in the following table:
	
		UK and overseas degree students at English HE institutions, students studying the 30 most popular subjects by gender
		
			  Female Male Total 
		
		
			 Business studies 27,331 30,741 58,073 
			 Computer science 7,223 35,888 43,111 
			 Psychology 34,144 8,377 42,521 
			 Design studies 25,500 16,028 41,527 
			 English studies 25,798 8,686 34,484 
			 Combined subjects 20,370 13,691 34,062 
			 Nursing 29,821 3,135 32,956 
			 Law by topic 18,573 11,594 30,167 
			 History by period 12,044 12,647 24,690 
			 Management studies 11,508 12,316 23,824 
			 Economics 6,960 14,070 21,030 
			 Information systems 5,552 15,340 20,892 
			 Sociology 14,537 5,263 19,799 
			 Media studies 10,268 8,276 18,544 
			 Training teachers 15,730 2,742 18,472 
			 Social work 14,570 2,767 17,337 
			 Others in subjects allied to medicine 13,266 4,023 17,289 
			 Sports science 6,600 10,686 17,286 
			 Mathematics 6,382 10,463 16,845 
			 Accounting 7,411 9,292 16,703 
			 Electronic  electrical engineering 1,845 14,574 16,419 
			 Law by area 10,023 6,312 16,335 
			 Politics 6,954 9,340 16,294 
			 Clinical medicine 9,051 6,473 15,525 
			 Biology 8,954 5,567 14,521 
			 Drama 9,632 3,626 13,257 
			 Academic studies in education 10,809 1,515 12,325 
			 Music 5,377 6,694 12,070 
			 Fine art 8,121 3,926 12,047 
			 Mechanical engineering 870 10,630 11,500

Degree Places

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many degree places were unfilled in 2005; and how many became vacant but remained unfilled following drop outs.

Bill Rammell: The information requested is not held centrally. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) does set targets for student places for individual institutions, however, these are set for the whole institution across all years of study including post-graduate places not just for new entrants. Information is not collected centrally on how many places remain unfilled after students drop-out. However, the completion rate within UK Higher Education Institutions is currently 85 per cent. which is a higher rate than most other countries and shows an decrease in the number of drop-outs since 1997.

Departmental Finance

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her Department's target is for paying invoices to contractors; and what percentage of bills were paid on time in the last period for which figures are available.

Bill Rammell: Provided that the goods or services have been satisfactorily supplied as ordered and invoices are undisputed the Department for Education and Skills target for paying invoices to contractors is within 30 days of receipt, unless other terms have been greed. In the financial year 200405 96 per cent. of all invoices (and claims) were paid within the 30 days or the agreed terms.

Drop-out Rates (Universities)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps the Government are taking to decrease drop-out rates in universities.

Bill Rammell: The position has improved steadily since 1997. The latest available figures published by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) are shown in the following table:
	
		Percentage of UK domiciled full-time first degree students expected neither to obtain an award nor transferhigher education institutions in the UK
		
			 Students starting courses in: Non-completion rate (percentage) 
		
		
			 1996/97 16.0 
			 1997/98 15.9 
			 1998/99 15.8 
			 1999/2000 15.9 
			 2000/01 15.0 
			 2001/02 14.1 
			 2002/03 14.4 
		
	
	Source:
	Performance Indicators in Higher Education, published by HESA. For 2002/03, the projected outcomes summarise the pattern of movements of students at institutions between 2002/03 and 2003/04 and give the outcomes that would have been expected from starters in 2002/03 if progression patterns were to remain unchanged over the next few years. The HESA data show the proportion of entrants who are projected to: obtain a qualification (either a first degree or another undergraduate award); transfer to another HEI; neither obtain a qualification nor transfer (ie fail to complete the course).
	Figures published in 2005 by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) showed that in 2003 the UK had one of the lowest higher education non-completion rates among OECD countries.
	This progress has been possible for a number of reasons. Since 2000, we have been putting funding into universities, via the Widening Participation Allocation managed by the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE), to help universities cover the additional costs of recruiting and retaining non-traditional students. In 200607, a total of 344 million will be allocated to institutions to support their Widening Participation activity, which includes increased funding of 236.6 million to improve student retention. This funding will be used for a variety of activities including: supporting the transition of students into HE, study skills and learner support and activities to enhance the quality of teaching and learning, all of which help to maximise their chance of success.
	We have made major investments in teaching and learning overall. These include the establishment of 74 Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning spread across universities and colleges to establish and spread best practice on learning and teaching. In addition, we are continuing to invest in the Teaching Quality Enhancement Fund, through which HEFCE will allocate 158.5 million over the next three years to promote continuous improvement in leaning and teaching, including a priority focus on supporting the success and progression for students with diverse needs.
	Through the Teaching Quality Information site established by HEFCE, applicants are now able to access a wide range of information about the quality of teaching including the views of studentsat subject and institutional level, informing their choice of institution and course.
	Our improved student finance package from 2006/07, including income assessed maintenance grants of up to 2,700, together with generous bursaries which HE institutions are offering will also assist retention.
	Underpinning all of this, we are continuing to invest in research and evaluation to ensure that we understand how best to improve student retention. For example, via HEFCE, we have provided 2 million to fund an ESRC programme, within their Teaching and Learning Research Programme, which includes projects which will examine the student experience and the factors that influence their success.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils in the East Riding of Yorkshire receive the education maintenance allowance; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council, who operate education maintenance allowances for the DFES and hold the information about take-up of the scheme. Mark Haysom, the Council's chief executive, has written to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom dated 15 March 2006
	I am writing in response to your parliamentary question regarding Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA).
	By the end of January 2006, 2,457 young people in the East Riding local education authority area had received one or more EMA payments in the academic year 200506.
	I hope this information is helpful and addresses your question.

Education (Wirral, West)

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people in Wirral, West (a) gained at least two A-levels and (b) went on to higher education in each of the last three years.

Jacqui Smith: The following tables show the requested information.
	
		(a) 1618 year A-level candidates at schools in Wirral West constituency who achieved 2 or more A-level passes2002/03 to 2004/05
		
			 Academic year Number 
		
		
			 2002/03 537 
			 2003/04 552 
			 2004/05 589 
		
	
	Source:
	School and College Achievement and Attainment Tables data
	
		(b) 18-year-old entrants from Wirral West constituency to HE courses at UK HE institutions, 2002/03 to 2004/05
		
			 Academic year Entrants 
		
		
			 2002/03 300 
			 2003/04 385 
			 2004/05 345 
		
	
	Note:
	The answers to (a) and (b) do not have the same coverage and should not be compared. The A-level candidates in Wirral, West are those that are at school or college there, the HE entrants are those whose home address is in Wirral, West.
	Source:
	Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) student record. Figures are on a HESA standard registration population and are rounded to the nearest 5. Entrants are those domiciled in Wirral, West constituency, rather than those who attended school or college there.

Education Act

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  if she will make a statement on the operation of section 159 of the Education Act 2002;
	(2)  on how many occasions the Chief Inspector has been requested to exercise his powers under section 159(2) of the Education Act 2002 in each year since its enactment; what the outcome was of each such inspection; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 27 February 2006, Official Report, column 525W.

Education Act

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many proprietors have been prosecuted for operating unregistered schools (a) under the Education Act 2002 and (b) prior to the implementation of the Education Act 2002 between (i)1997 and 2002 and (ii) 1991 and 1996; and what the outcome was of each prosecution for cases which have been completed;
	(2)  whether her Department has been prevented by the regulatory framework from pursuing a prosecution under section 159 of the Education Act 2002 after deciding to do so; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: No proprietors have been prosecuted for operating unregistered schools either since, or prior to, the implementation of the Education Act 2002. The current regulatory framework has not prevented my Department from prosecuting any case under section 159 of the Education Act 2002.

Education Funding

Patrick Hall: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the annual average per capita expenditure was in (a) state schools for all (i) five to 19-year-olds, (ii) five to 11-year-olds, (iii) 11 to 16-year-olds and (iv) 16 to 19-year-olds and (b) state grammar schools for all (A) 11 to 16-year-olds and (B) 16 to 19-year-olds in England in the last year for which figures are available.

Jacqui Smith: The requested information is not collected by the Department in the way that it has been asked for. Expenditure in local authority maintained schools cannot be attributed to a particular age group and instead is split by phase of education. The available information for school based expenditure per pupil by local authority maintained schools in England during 200405 is contained in the following table:
	
		
			   per pupil 
		
		
			 Primary school based expenditure per pupil 2,910 
			 Secondary school based expenditure per pupil(29) 3,800 
			 Local authority maintained grammar school based expenditure per pupil 3,630 
			 Total school based expenditure per pupil (includes maintained primary, secondary and special schools) 3,440 
			 Total school based expenditure per pupil (includes maintained nursery, primary, secondary and special schools) 3,450 
		
	
	(29)Includes all local authority maintained grammar schools.
	Notes:
	1.School based expenditure includes only expenditure incurred directly by local authority maintained schools. This includes the pay of teachers and school-based support staff, school premises costs, books and equipment, and certain other supplies and services, less any capital items funded from recurrent spending and income from sales, fees and charges and rents and rates. This excludes the central cost of support services such as home to school transport, local authority administration and the financing of capital expenditure. The pupil data are drawn from the DfES Annual Schools Census adjusted to be on a financial year basis.
	2.Includes all local authority maintained schools with delegated budgets.
	3.200405 data are provisional and are subject to change by the local authority.
	4.Figures are as reported by local authorities at 29 March 2006 in cash terms and rounded to the nearest 10.
	5.Financial data are drawn from local authorities' 200405 section 52 outturn statements submitted to the DfES. Pupil data are drawn from the DfES Annual Schools Census adjusted to be on a financial year basis. Local authority maintained grammar schools in England are drawn from Edubase (the Department's database of educational establishments) and matched across to the financial data reported on section 52 outturn.
	6.There are 164 grammar schools. The unit cost for grammar schools was compiled by obtaining a list of schools from EduBase and matching the financial data for the 164 schools from s52 outturn table B, and replicating the Department's LA unit cost calculation for these schools.

Educational Attainment

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to her answer of 7 March 2006, Official Report, column 1426W, on educational attainment, what proportion of (a) children in receipt of free school meals, (b) pupils with special educational needs and (c) all children aged 15 years at the end of the 200405 academic year achieved (i) five or more A* to C grades at GCSE and equivalent including mathematics and English and (ii) no A* to C grades at GCSE and equivalent, broken down by (A) community schools, (B)foundation schools, (C) voluntary aided schools, (D) voluntary controlled schools, (E) academies, (F) city technology colleges and (G) special schools excluding grammar schools.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested can be found in the following table.
	
		GCSE and equivalent results of 15-year-old pupils(30)in maintained schools (excluding selective schools)
		
			   Percentage achieving: 
			  Number of pupils 5+ A*-C inc. English and mathematics No A*-C passes 
		
		
			 Pupils receiving free school meals 
			 Academy 796 10.3 42.7 
			 Community 55,166 16.8 43.7 
			 Voluntary aided 10,037 23.7 35.5 
			 Voluntary controlled 1,450 16.3 45.9 
			 Foundation 8,272 20.4 39.9 
			 City technology college326 58.3 6.4 
			 Special(31) 3,485 0.0 95.0 
			 Total(32) 79,532 17.4 44.4 
			 
			 Pupils with special educational needs(33) 
			 Academy 685 4.4 59.3 
			 Community 63,207 6.7 61.1 
			 Voluntary aided 10,898 10.4 51.8 
			 Voluntary controlled 2,582 8.9 60.0 
			 Foundation 12,458 9.0 55.1 
			 City technology college298 36.2 11.4 
			 Special(31) 9,435 0.1 93.9 
			 Total(32) 99,563 6.9 62.2 
			 
			 All pupils
			 Academy 2,099 15.5 36.2 
			 Community 365,966 38.0 24.9 
			 Voluntary aided 78,672 49.1 16.7 
			 Voluntary controlled 18,285 47.3 19.6 
			 Foundation 85,281 44.2 19.5 
			 City technology college2,488 65.9 3.6 
			 Special(31) 9,578 0.1 93.8 
			 Total(32) 562,369 40.2 23.9 
		
	
	(30)Age at the start of the academic year.
	(31)Including community and foundation special schools.
	(32)Containing pupils who were not included in the Pupil Level Annual School Census (as in national figures).
	(33)Including statemented and non-statemented SEN pupils.

Education-Business Partnerships

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what action her Department is taking to ensure (a) the continued operation of and (b) continuing public funding for Education-Business Partnerships.

Jacqui Smith: The nature of EBPs varies widely and they are largely independent bodies. We do not fund the EBPs nationally, however, through the LSC, we annually provide 25 million to support the local delivery of school business links activity.

Examination Papers

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research she has evaluated comparing past examination papers with recent examples.

Jacqui Smith: The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) has statutory responsibility for maintaining examination standards over time. QCA has a rolling programme of standards reviews, which began in 1997. The programme was organised to run in five-year cycles. The first cycle of reviews investigated standards in a subject in four sample years over a 20 year period. Subsequent reviews investigate standards since the date of the previous review of a subject. They therefore normally cover the past five years. The reports are available on the QCA website.

Expulsions

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many expulsions there have been from secondary schools in (a) Romford, (b) Havering and (c) Greater London in each of the last 10 years.

Jacqui Smith: Data on permanent exclusions are available from 1995/96 onwards. The available information is given in the following table.
	
		Maintained secondary schools: number and percentage of permanent exclusions 1995/96 to 2003/04
		
			  Permanent exclusions from secondary schools 
			  Romford parliamentary constituency Havering local authority London 
			  Number Percentage(34) Number Percentage(34) Number Percentage(34) 
		
		
			 1995/96 19 0.47 69 0.47 1,894 0.51 
			 1996/97 18 0.45 50 0.34 1,814 0.48 
			 1997/98 19 0.49 66 0.45 1,665 0.44 
			 1998/99 16 0.43 39 0.26 1,471 0.38 
			 1999/2000 11 0.29 33 0.21 1,066 0.27 
			 2000/01(35) 13 0.32 30 0.19 1,197 0.29 
			 2001/02(35) 12 0.30 42 0.26 1,196 0.29 
			 2002/03(35) 12 0.29 32 0.20 1,255 0.30 
			 2003/04(35) 18 0.44 35 0.21 1,343 0.32 
		
	
	(34)The number of exclusions expressed as a percentage of the total number of pupils on the school roll in January of the same school year. Excludes dually registered pupils.
	(35)There are known quality issues with exclusions data for these years. Figures shown here for Romford parliamentary constituency are as reported by schools but are unconfirmed and should be used with caution. Figures for Havering local authority and London have been checked back with authorities.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census

Federation Schools

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what additional funding is available for schools entering into full federation with another school.

Jacqui Smith: There is no specific central Government funding for schools entering into a hard governance federation. However, schools now receive increasing sums of direct funding and they may well choose to use some of that funding to support a partnership or federation as a strategy for school improvement. In addition, local authorities also have the opportunity to channel funding to schools where it is felt that a federation structure would contribute toward school improvement.

Free School Meals

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the end of year financial position was in 200405 of each of the 100 (a) primary and (b) secondary schools with the (i)highest and (ii)lowest percentage of children on free school meals.

Jacqui Smith: I have placed in the Library tables showing the requested financial data for 200405.

Happy Slapping

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to issue guidelines to tackle the practice known as happy slapping.

Jacqui Smith: The Government have made clear that all forms of bullying are unacceptable and must be punished. This includes the practice known as happy slapping where acts of bullying are recorded and transmitted, using mobile phones. Although there is no evidence to suggest that this is a widespread problem in schools, any incidents need to be dealt with firmly and appropriately.
	Misuse of mobile phones was one of the specific issues considered by the Practitioners' Group on School Behaviour and Discipline, in its report Learning Behaviour published last October. The report points to the fact that, while mobile phones are now a part of daily life, schools need a clear policy on their possession and use on school site. In the current Education and Inspections Bill we are re-enacting and strengthening the duty on schools to establish a behaviour policy, and we will be producing guidance on that duty which will specifically address the issue of mobile phone misuse. Bullying by mobile phones and the seriousness with which this should be treated is also referred to in our anti-bullying guidance pack for schools Don't Suffer in Silence, which is currently being updated. The wider problem of happy slapping and how to tackle it will also be covered within the soon to be launched Violence Reduction in Schools Programme (VIRIS) guidance. In addition, the remit of the Anti-Bullying Alliance under the funding provided by the Department includes investigating this issue as part of its work on developing innovative solutions to bullying.

Higher Education

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people in (a) Wakefield District and (b) Normanton constituency went on to higher education in (i) 2004 and (ii) 2005; and what proportion of these attended universities in West Yorkshire.

Bill Rammell: The latest information for the two most recent years is given in the table.
	Comparable figures for 2005/06 will be available in January 2007.
	
		Students from Normanton and Wakefield Constituencies Entering Undergraduate Courses(36)by Institution of Study
		
			  2003/04 2004/05 
			  Normanton Wakefield Normanton Wakefield 
			  Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage 
		
		
			 Total entrants(37) 780 100 1,015 100 840 100 980 100 
			 of which, those studying at: 
			 Bradford University 10 1 25 2 25 3 25 2 
			 Huddersfield University 195 25 280 28 190 23 295 30 
			 Leeds University 85 11 110 11 85 10 65 7 
			 Leeds Metropolitan University 155 20 155 15 145 17 155 16 
			 Other HE institutions 335 43 445 44 395 47 445 45 
		
	
	(36)Entrants to full and part-time undergraduate courses.
	(37)Entrants to all higher education institutions in the UK.
	Note:
	Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5, so components may not sum to totals.
	Source:
	Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

Higher Education

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research she has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the effects of involving parents in post-16 career and education decisions.

Bill Rammell: Research commissioned by the Department demonstrates the important role of parents in young people's decision making: Payne's review of the literature (Choice At The End Of Compulsory Schooling: A Research Review, DfES Research Report 414) concluded that young people see parents as probably the most important source of advice and help when decisions about post-16 routes have to be taken. Recent qualitative research for the Department (How Do Young People Make Decisions at Ages 14 and 16forthcoming May 2006) also shows that the parental role was identified by both young people and teachers as being particularly influential in the decision-making processes at ages 14 and 16.
	However the Department has not commissioned any research/evaluation looking specifically at the benefits of involving parents/carers in post-16 career and education decisions, or indeed how good parents are at providing advice. Such an issue would be difficult to research or evaluate, since it would be difficult to isolate the role of parents from other influencers (for example friends, teachers, careers advisers or labour market conditions), particularly in terms of hard outcomes.

Increased Flexibility Programme

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on funding for the transport element of the Increased Flexibility Programme.

Jacqui Smith: Funding for the Increased Flexibility for 1416 Year Olds programme is decided locally between partnerships. It is expected that some of the funds covers the transport element.

Learning and Skills Council

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the impact of a reduction in further education provisions for work-related causes as a result of changing the Department of Work and Pensions' priorities on Learning and Skills Council provision.

Bill Rammell: We are still in the process of agreeing the detail of the transfer with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). The underpinning rationale in making this change is to get better value for money in the commissioning and delivery of publicly funded basic skills and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) training and to target these resources more closely to meet the specific needs of people seeking employment or looking to progress their learning once they have found a job. It is too soon to assess what the impact of this change might be on the level of provision with different providers but Mark Haysom, the LSC's chief executive will write to you once such an assessment has been made.
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 23 March 2006
	I write in response to your recent Parliamentary question regarding the transfer of basic skills.
	At the time of writing the transfer has not yet been confirmed so we are unable to provide a full assessment of what the level of provision will be with different providers. Discussions are still taking place between DfES and DWP to agree the level of funding that will transfer.
	In the meantime the LSC has undertaken some analysis to ascertain the degree to which providers are shared between both organisations. This is based on data provided to the LSC in August 2005 and shows that approximately 63% of JCP providers who hold a contract to provide JCP basic skills and ESOL programmes also have LSC contracts. There are regional variations. In the South West for example 73% of JCP providers also have a contract with the LSC.
	There will be no overall negative financial impact upon further education provision as a consequence of the transfer of funding responsibility from the DWP to the LSC. The LSC will ensure that the full resource transferring to the LSC from DfES/DWP is utilised to procure Skills for Life provision.
	Indeed, once fully embedded into the LSC's planning cycle, it is envisaged that existing LSC providers will be able to realise administrative savings because they will only need to talk to the LSC about planning and performance.
	I am happy to provide further specific analysis if you wish once the detail of transfer has been agreed.

Lip Reading

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what funding has been provided for the establishment of lip reading classes to assist those with hearing difficulties in North Yorkshire in each of the last three years;
	(2)  what funding has been provided for the establishment of lip reading classes in England in each of the last three years.

Bill Rammell: In 2004/05 the LSC funded 641,000 learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities at a cost of around 1.5 billion. Continuing investment in this provision remains a priority, which was confirmed in our 2006/07 Grant Letter to the LSC and the LSC has in turn made clear in their strategic planning guidance the priority it attaches to this provision.
	Funding is not allocated for specific courses. Colleges as independent bodies decide their provision within plans agreed with the LSC. Information about lip-reading courses is only available for further education colleges and providers from the Individualised Learner Record (ILR). The most recent academic year for which this data are available is 2004/05. From these data we know that the funding associated with lip-reading courses was 110,779 in 2002/03, 175,803 in 2003/04 and 140,190 in 2004/05. The Department does not hold local funding figures for lip-reading classes. I am therefore copying this reply to Mark Haysom, the council's Chief Executive, so that he can respond in more detail to your request. A copy of his reply will be placed in the Library
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 5 April 2006
	I write in response to your recent parliamentary question regarding funding associated with lip reading courses.
	In his response the Minister provided national figures for the funding associated with lip reading courses over the last three years. Information on local funding figures for North Yorkshire indicates that the only college in North Yorkshire where there has been funding associated with lip-reading courses is Leeds Metropolitan University with funding of 3,386 in 2003/04. Other colleges in the area offer British Sign Language and Signed Communication Skills.
	The LSC has made clear in its planning guidance to providers the priority it places on funding for learners with learning difficulties and disabilities. In addition to provision specifically for these learners the guidance also states that programmes for those that work with this group are a priority and gives sign language, lip-reading and Braille courses as examples. However, colleges as independent bodies make their own decisions on the provision they offer, taking into account LSC priorities, with the LSC agreeing the overall plan.

Lip Reading

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will include lip-reading courses in the list of courses for which full fee remission can be claimed by education providers.

Phil Hope: Continuing investment in provision for deaf and hard of hearing learners and more generally for all learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities remains a priority. In 200405 the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) supported more than 641,000 learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities at a cost of nearly 1.5 billion. In our 200607 grant letter to the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) we confirmed that this provision continues to be a priority and the LSC has in turn made clear in their strategic planning guidance the priority it attaches to this provision.
	Full fee remission continues to be available to learners, and their dependants, receiving a means tested benefit, pensioners receiving the Pension (Guarantee) Credit; and unemployed people on Jobseekers Allowance.
	For adult learners facing barriers to learning, learner support funds (LSF) provide additional financial support to people undertaking learning. Providers set their own criteria for allocating these funds to learners taking into account local needs and based on guidance from the LSC. The LSC guidance makes clear that learners with learning difficulties and/or disabilities must be given priority to these funds, especially where they are at risk of not taking up or continuing in further education.
	Where learners are not receiving a means tested benefit the provider may waive fees at their discretion and may make use of LSF in order to provide support. While the majority of those undertaking lip-reading courses do have a hearing impairment around 25 per cent. do not, and are therefore undertaking the course for a variety of other reasons. In 200405 less than 20 per cent. of learners undertaking lip-reading courses paid fees with the rest qualifying for full fee remission either as a result of being on means tested benefits or due to the discretion of the provider. We are continuing to monitor this position with the LSC to ensure that the provisions we have in place to support these learners are sufficient.

Mini-motorcycles

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  whether she plans to introduce an information campaign for schools on safety measures for drivers of mini-motorcycles;
	(2)  if she will provide for initiatives in schools to educate children and young people about the risks of driving mini-motorcycles.

Jacqui Smith: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has no plans for an information campaign or other initiatives with a focus on safety issues relating to mini-motorcycles.
	Safety is included in the non-statutory framework for personal, social and health education (PSHE) at key stages 1 and 2, and at key stage 3 pupils should be taught to recognise and manage risk and make safer choices about healthy lifestyles, different environments and travel.
	DfES has also made available Safety Education guidance to schools which outlines the opportunities to develop pupils' knowledge and skills about safety education, including road safety.

Modern Apprenticeships

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people (a) entered, (b) completed and (c) were participating in modern apprenticeships in each quarter in the past three years, broken down by level.

Jacqui Smith: Figures relating to new starts on apprenticeship courses and numbers participating quarterly are published biannually, and most recently in the Statistical First Release (SFR): Further Education. Work-based Learning for Young People and Adult and Community LearningLearner Numbers in England on 1 October 2005
	The following table is based on table 6 in the SFR and shows numbers starting both advanced apprenticeships (equivalent to NVQ level 3) and apprenticeships (equivalent to NVQ level 2) in thousands:
	
		
			  Quarter ending Advanced apprenticeship Apprenticeship 
		
		
			 2003/04 October 2003 26.0 54.4 
			  January 2004 11.1 26.6 
			  April 2004 10.1 27.8 
			  July 2004 9.7 27.9 
			  Total 57.0 136.6 
			 
			 2004/05 October 2004 24.6 56.9 
			  January 2005 10.0 25.6 
			  April 2005 8.4 21.4 
			  July 2005 10.9 30.6 
			  Total 53.9 134.5 
			 
			 2005/06 October 2005 22.2 51.0 
		
	
	The following table is based on table 5 from the SFR and shows the average number of people participating on advanced apprenticeships and apprenticeships in thousands:
	
		
			  Quarter ending Advanced apprenticeship Apprenticeship 
		
		
			 2003/04 October 2003 109.5 146.5 
			  January 2004 106.7 146.2 
			  April 2004 103.1 144.1 
			  July 2004 100.3 144.4 
			  Year average 104.8 143.1 
			 
			 2004/05 October 2004 105.5 160.0 
			  January 2005 104.0 158.5 
			  April 2005 100.3 152.1 
			  July 2005 99.1 153.2 
			  Year average 101.8 154.0 
			 
			 2005/06 October 2005 103.5 164.1 
		
	
	Figures for those completing apprenticeships are published in terms of success rates for the cohort of people leaving apprenticeship courses, for whatever reason, in that year (as such figures do not include those who remain on their course from one year to the next). Figures are published annually, most recently in the SFR: Further Education and Work Based Learning for Young PeopleLearner Outcomes in England: 2003/04
	However, more timely information, including provisional success rate estimates for 2004/05, have been published less formally on the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) website: PartnersWBL Success Rates. The following table brings together figures from the LSC web-site for 2002/03, 2003/04 and 2004/05:
	
		Percentage
		
			Advanced apprenticeship Apprenticeship All apprenticeship 
		
		
			 2004/05 Framework x 38 40 40 
			  NVQ Only y 14 11 12 
			  Framework or NVQ x + y 52 51 51 
			  Total leavers  50,200 119,200 169,400 
			   
			 2003/04 Framework x 32 30 31 
			  NVQ only y 14 12 13 
			  Framework or NVQ x + y 46 43 44 
			  Total leavers  51,400 106,800 158,200 
			   
			 2002/03 Framework x 32 24 27 
			  NVQ only y 11 13 13 
			  Framework or NVQ x + y 44 37 39 
			  Total leavers  60,600 104,900 165,600 
		
	
	Figures for 2004/05 will be updated in the following SFR to be published on 11 April 2006: Further Education and Work Based Learning for Young PeopleLearner Outcomes in England: 2004/05

Nursery Education

Paul Goodman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many (a) private, (b) voluntary and (c) independent providers of nursery education have been removed by Ofsted from its approved directory of providers in each year for which figures are available.

Beverley Hughes: holding answer 23 March 2006
	This information is not collected centrally. Local authorities are responsible for maintaining a local directory of providers eligible to deliver the free early education entitlement in their area. It is for local authorities to determine whether a provider of free early education should be removed from the directory. This may be as a result of an unsatisfactory Ofsted report or because of failure to meet agreed local conditions.

NVQ (Level 2)

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what progress the Government have made in increasing the number of people holding NVQ Level 2 qualifications since the publication of the Welfare to Workforce Development paper in February 2004.

Phil Hope: The Labour Force Survey (LFS) shows that the number of people of working age 1 in England who hold an NVQ Level 2 or equivalent qualification or higher has increased by 677,000 between winter 2003 and autumn 2005.
	1 People of working age are defined as men aged 1664 and women aged 1659.

Parliamentary Contacts

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent discussions have taken place between Ministers and (a) the Learning and Skills Council, (b) the Sector Skills Development Agency, (c) Investors in People and (d) the Learning and Skills Development Agency on improving contacts with parliamentarians.

Bill Rammell: All four of these organisations undertake activities to ensure that they are effectively engaged with Parliament and parliamentarians. Ministers maintain regular contact with all of these bodies on a wide range of issues, and will, where necessary, have discussions on how they can improve their contact with parliamentarians.
	For example, the Learning and Skills Council's (LSC) Chief Executive, Mark Haysom, has sought meetings with every English MP to discuss the LSC's work in transforming further education and its work in schools and colleges in Members' constituencies. Local LSCs are encouraged to have an open dialogue with constituency MPs of all parties in order swiftly to answer any concerns or issues that may arise. As part of its restructuring the LSC will ensure, as one of its key priorities, that local and regional staff further develop their relationships with stakeholders, including with MPs.
	Both the LSC and the Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA) are engaged in a number of All-Party Groups and Associate Parliamentary Groups, ensuring that MPs of all parties have the opportunity to question them and raise issues of concern. Representatives from both organisations also appeared before the Education and Skills Select Committee during their inquiry into Further Education in January.
	The annual report and accounts for all four organisations are also placed in the Libraries of the House each year.

Parliamentary Questions

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many questions to her Department which have not yet been answered have been unanswered for over two weeks.

Bill Rammell: Since May 2005 the Department have received 4,805 written parliamentary questions. There are 72 parliamentary questions awaiting reply which have been unanswered for over two weeks.

Pathfinder Schools

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many schools are in a Pathfinder programme, broken down by local authority.

Jacqui Smith: The Department engages with specific schools on a number of projects and programmes; sometimes to pilot how we deliver new proposals. Some of our larger programmes are trialled as Pathfinders before being rolled out nationally to ensure the most effective approach is adopted.
	Some Pathfinders, such as 14 to 19 Pathfinders and Enterprise Pathfinders, have now concluded their Pathfinder phase. The following Pathfinder programmes are currently operational. Other targeted programmes, for which we use different terminology, are not included here.
	Building Schools for the Future Pathfinders
	We began working with the four BSF Pathfinder projects (Greenwich, Lewisham and Southwark was a joint project) in March 2003. Since then three further waves' have been announced, including projects in an additional 33 local authorities.
	In addition 13 local authorities have been allocated capital funding from 200607 for a BSF one-school pathfinder project. The LAs involved in the first tranche of these projects are: Bexley, Barnet, Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Kingston-upon-Thames, Leicestershire, North Yorkshire, Richmond-upon-Thames, Torbay, Warrington, and Wiltshire. The Department also intends piloting projects by parent promoter groups to establish a new school, in support of the choice, diversity and access agenda. We expect the first of these to be in Barnet.
	Numbers of schools in currently in BSF Pathfinders are as follows:
	
		
			 Local Authority Number of Schools 
		
		
			 Bradford 3 
			 Bristol 4 
			 Greenwich 5 
			 Lewisham 3 
			 Sheffield(38) 6 
			 Southwark(39) 2 
		
	
	(38)Originally seven schools but one subsequently dropped out when it was identified to become an Academy
	(39)Originally four schools, but two subsequently dropped out when they were identified to become Academies
	Behaviour and attendance pathfinder partnerships
	We set out an expectation that all secondary schools be working in partnership groups to improve outcomes in behaviour and persistent truancy by September 2007. From January 2006, 278 secondary schools will be working together in 37 pathfinder partnerships, across 19 local authorities.
	
		Names of pathfinder partnership within each LA area are as follows
		
			 Local Authority Pathfinder name Number of secondary schools 
		
		
			 Coventry Coventry 19 
			 Derbyshire Peak 11 
			  Bamber 7 
			 Devon Chances 6 
			 Dorset Chesil 4 
			 Durham Durham 36 
			 Leeds Five groups (no names) 39 
			 Lewisham Hillsyde 3 
			  Crossways 4 
			 Lincolnshire four groups (no names) 8 
			 Norfolk five partnerships (no names) 16 
			 North Lines North Lincs 14 
			 North Tyneside North Tyneside 11 
			 North Yorks three Eastern area partnerships (no names) 13 
			 Sunderland Sunderland 18 
			 Nottinghamshire Mansfield 7 
			 Staffordshire Tamworth 5 
			 West Sussex Area Improvement Partnership A'10 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead Maidenhead 5 
			 Wolverhampton Wolverhampton 18 
			 Worcestershire Four partnerships (no names) 24 
		
	
	Trust school pathfinder programme
	We are engaged in discussions with a range of schools and partners as part of the process of setting up trust pathfinders. We do not currently have a definitive list of these pathfinders. This information will become available as each project is confirmed.

Personalised Learning

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the planned basis is for the distribution of existing and additional funding announced in the Budget for personalised learning in 200607; whether local education authorities will decide their own local allocation scheme to schools; and whether local education authorities will be allowed to levy (a) brokerage payments and (b) service level agreement deductions from the funding they will receive.

Jacqui Smith: Funding for personalised learning will be allocated through the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG), the Standards Fund and School Standards Grant (SSG).
	The Government announced in November 2005 new funding for personalised learning allocated as follows:
	
		Dedicated schools grant  --  million
		
			  Primary schools Key Stage 3 
		
		
			 200607 100 120 
			 200708 230 335 
		
	
	This funding has been allocated to local authorities on the following basis:
	15 per cent. according to projected pupil numbers;
	35 per cent. according to projected pupil numbers, weighted by the number of children in families in receipt of income support;
	50 per cent. according to projected pupils, weighted for the proportion of pupils not achieving level 2 at KS2 (for the primary funding) or level 4 at KS3 (for the Key Stage 3 funding) in English and Maths.
	The Area Cost Adjustment (ACA), as announced in the Local Government Settlement on 5 December 2006, has been applied to all three distribution factors. Local authorities can decide how to allocate this funding to schools, in consultation with their Schools Forum. The Government expects the distribution across schools in the authority to be based on an assessment of relative need to:
	support intervention and catch-up provision for children who have fallen behind in English and maths;
	support the education of gifted and talented learners; and
	help learners from deprived backgrounds to access after school and year-round activities.
	
		Standards fund  --  million
		
			  Primary schools Secondary schools 
		
		
			 200607 30 30 
			 200708 30 30 
		
	
	This funding has been allocated to local authorities based on the number of schools in each local authority that have a high number of pupils behind age related expectations in English or maths. Local authorities must allocate this funding to schools facing the greatest challenges, based on an assessment of need by the National Strategy manager in each local authority.
	Further additional funding for personalised learning of 220 million in 200607, rising to 365 million in 200708, was announced in the Budget Statement on 22 March 2006. This funding will be paid to schools as an addition to their Schools Standards Grant. The funding will be allocated to schools on a per pupil basis weighted for deprivation, as measured by Free School Meal take up, and low prior attainment. The exact distribution formula will be determined in consultation with school and local government representatives.
	All of the additional funding must be fully allocated to schools on the conditions set out above. Local authorities cannot retain any of the funding or make deductions to the amounts allocated to schools.

Phonics

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what support she (a) is giving and (b) plans to give to local education authorities to develop phonics in primary schools.

Jacqui Smith: The Primary National Strategy (PNS) directly supports all Local Authorities (LAs) on developing effective teaching of literacy in primary schools, including phonics. This consists of regular guidance and training for key staff by PNS Regional Advisers; funding support and training for a consultant field force that works directly with schools; and provision of materials and funding to support training in schools. The PNS has produced dedicated phonics teaching materials to support teaching: Progression in Phonics (1999) and Playing with Sounds (2004).
	The implementation of the recommendations from Jim Rose's review of the teaching of early reading forms part of the renewal of the PNS Framework for teaching literacy and associated materials, and the development of the new Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). A formal consultation on the draft Literacy Framework is being launched after Easter; the final version will be available to schools in September, along with the revised Numeracy Framework. The PNS is now working with LAs to plan the implementation of this work in schools in the autumn, including establishing concentrated training programmes for school staff.
	The relevant parts of the new EYFS will be fully aligned with the new Framework, and the rollout in 2008 will include further training for both maintained and non-maintained early years settings. Both the Framework and the EYFS will further strengthen work on speaking and listening skills, already reflected for instance within the Foundation Stage curriculum, as Jim Rose has highlighted these skills as a very important precursor to phonic work.

Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme in her Department joined the scheme before the age of (a) 20, (b) 25, (c) 30, (d) 35, (e) 40, (f) 45 and (g) over 45-years-old.

Maria Eagle: As at 31 March 2006 there were 3,901 active members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme in the Department. The ages at which they joined the scheme are shown in the table.
	
		
			 Age Number 
		
		
			 (a) Before 20 442 
			 (b) 20 and before 25 919 
			 (c) 25 and before 30 729 
			 (d) 30 and before 35 564 
			 (e) 35 and before 40 497 
			 (f) 40 and before 45 345 
			 (g) 45 and after 405

Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the current employer contribution rates to the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme are; what assumed rate of return underlies those contribution rates; and what the contribution rate would be if the assumed rate of return was in line with current redemption yield on index-linked gilts.

Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Cabinet Office on 29 March 2006, Official Report, columns 103031W.

Remedial Education

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the role of her Department in providing remedial educational training for recruits to (a) the civil service and (b) other public sector roles, with particular reference to (i) basic literacy and (ii) simple arithmetic.

Maria Eagle: The Department provides advice and guidance to any member of its own staff who wants to enhance their literacy and numeracy skills, and can arrange for screening and diagnostic assessment
	The Department does not provide remedial educational training for recruits to either the civil service or other public bodies, although we do encourage other Departments and indeed all employers to address Skills for Life needs in their staff, where they occur.
	Skills for Life is the Government's national strategy for improving adult literacy, numeracy and language skills It caters for the literacy, language (English for Speakers of Other LanguagesESOL) and numeracy needs of all post-16 learners, including those with learning difficulties or disabilities, from pre-entry level up to and including level 2.

Safeguarding Children

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to her oral statement of 19 January 2006, Official Report, columns 96670, on safeguarding children, how many of her Department's staff are involved in the safeguarding vetting process; how many have received training, support and advice on child protection issues; and what the timetable is for training the remainder of staff.

Ruth Kelly: It is not possible to give precise numbers of the Department's staff working on the safeguarding vetting process. This is important work which requires the involvement of individuals from several different Divisions in the Department.
	We are currently reviewing the training needs of all those involved with vetting activity and the scope for operational improvements in the light of recent events, and in the context of the statement made to the House on 19 January 2006 Official Report, columns 96670. We will seek Sir Roger Singleton's expert input on these issues, and we expect operational changes and further training to be implemented over the next few months.

School Discipline

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many recorded incidents of antisocial behaviour in secondary schools there have been in (a) Romford, (b) Havering and (c) Greater London in each of the last 10 years.

Jacqui Smith: The requested information is not collected centrally.
	The nearest available data relate to the number of exclusions by the reason for exclusion. Information given in the table relates to 2003/04 academic yearthe first year for which reason for exclusion was collected.
	Information on exclusions during the 2004/05 academic year will be available in June 2006.
	
		Maintained secondary schools1Number and percentage of permanent and fixed period exclusions by reason of exclusion, 2003/04
		
			  Number of permanent exclusions(41)(5509060042) Percentage of all permanent exclusions(43) Number of fixed period exclusions Percentage of all fixed period exclusions(44) 
		
		
			 Romford parliamentary constituency 
			 Physical assault against a pupil (45) (45) 69 13 
			 Physical assault against an adult (45) (45) 11 2 
			 Verbal abuse/threatening behaviour against a pupil (45) (45) 16 3 
			 Verbal abuse/threatening behaviour against an adult 3 17 76 14 
			 Bullying 0 0 25 5 
			 Racist abuse 0 0 16 3 
			 Sexual misconduct 0 0 (45) (45) 
			 Drug and alcohol related (45) (45) 6 1 
			 Damage 0 0 19 4 
			 Theft 0 0 12 2 
			 Persistent disruptive behaviour 5 28 69 13 
			 Other 4 22 208 39 
			 Total 18 100 528 100 
			  
			 Havering local authority 
			 Physical assault against a pupil 3 9 269 18 
			 Physical assault against an adult (45) (45) 20 1 
			 Verbal abuse/threatening behaviour against a pupil (45) (45) 33 2 
			 Verbal abuse/threatening behaviour against an adult 5 14 222 15 
			 Bullying 0 0 42 3 
			 Racist abuse 0 0 32 2 
			 Sexual misconduct 0 0 5 0 
			 Drug and alcohol related (45) (45) 31 2 
			 Damage (45) (45) 46 3 
			 Theft 0 0 36 2 
			 Persistent disruptive behaviour 9 26 142 10 
			 Other 10 29 599 41 
			 Total 35 100 1,477 100 
			  
			 London 
			 Physical assault against a pupil 269 20 7,319 23 
			 Physical assault against an adult 127 9 1,113 4 
			 Verbal abuse/threatening behaviour against a pupil 109 8 1,483 5 
			 Verbal abuse/threatening behaviour against an adult 132 10 5,754 18 
			 Bullying 34 3 630 2 
			 Racist abuse (45) (45) 254 1 
			 Sexual misconduct 16 1 363 1 
			 Drug and alcohol related 86 6 1,004 3 
			 Damage 49 4 1,098 4 
			 Theft 54 4 1,051 3 
			 Persistent disruptive behaviour 301 22 6,256 20 
			 Other 163 12 4,930 16 
			 Total 1,343 100 31,256 100 
		
	
	(40)Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(41)There are known quality issues with exclusions data for these years. Figures shown here for Romford parliamentary constituency are as reported by schools but are unconfirmed and should be used with caution. Figures for Havering local authority and London have been checked back with authorities.
	(42)The distribution of exclusions by reason has been derived from the Termly Exclusions Survey and applied to the number of permanent exclusions as confirmed by local authorities as part of the Annual Schools Census data checking exercise.
	(43)The number of permanent exclusions by reason expressed as a percentage of the total number of permanent exclusions.
	(44)The number of permanent exclusions by reason expressed as a percentage of the total number of permanent exclusions.
	(45)1 or 2 exclusions, or a rate based on 1 or 2 exclusions.

School Food

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what definition of confectionery will be applied to the School Food Trust guidelines on the sale of such products from vending machines and tuck shops in secondary schools.

Jacqui Smith: Officials are still collecting stakeholder views on the School Food Trust's advice to Government on nutritional standards for food served at times of the day other than lunch. Views have been sought from representatives of the food industry, education and health sectors. Forthcoming decisions on a definition of confectionery for the purposes of school food standards will be taken in light of these stakeholder views.

Shrewsbury Sixth Form College

Daniel Kawczynski: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will provide funding to allow the Skills for Life section of Shrewsbury Sixth Form College to remain open beyond the 200506 academic year.

Phil Hope: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council who are responsible for the planning and funding of Skills for Life learning via the 47 local Learning and Skills Council offices. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, has written to the hon. Member with the information requested and a copy of his reply has been placed in the House Library.
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 5 April 2006
	I write in response to your recent Parliamentary Questions regarding funding for adult education for people on benefits and low incomes in Shrewsbury and funding to allow the Skills for Life section of Shrewsbury Sixth Form College to remain open.
	Shropshire LSC funding for adult education is through Adult and Community Learning (ACL) which is delivered by Shropshire County Council, the ACL funding is for Shropshire as a whole and therefore this makes it difficult to show exactly what has been earmarked for Shrewsbury, the following is a rough guide to allocations.
	
		
			  2001/02 SCC LSC revenue allocation for county 365,879  2005/06 SCC LSC revenue allocation for county 467,858 (excluding family learning funds of 150,172) 
		
		
			 ShrewsburyGateway Centre and provision 163,000 ShrewsburyGateway Centre and provision 285,180 
			 Shrewsbury schools ACL 24,550 Shrewsbury schools: New ACL centres at Grange and Sundorne schools 38,000 (includes some extended schools funds) 
		
	
	Skills for Life provision is a high priority. The LSC has clearly stated in its annual statement of priorities that Adults without basic skills are entitled to free learning. As a result of this commitment, LSC resources both nationally, regionally and locally are increasingly focused on securing this priority activity.
	The funds committed to Skills for Life in Shropshire has increased from 1,960,235 in 2004/05 to 3,510,250 in 2005/06. In addition to this core activity, Shropshire learners have benefited from a further 94,000 of investment in Skills for Life activity through the Employer Training Pilot and 641,412 funded through European Social Funds activity in 2005/06.
	Shropshire LSC 2004 target for skills for life achievements (6,177) was exceeded by 8 per cent. with a total achievement of 6,692. A further 2,252 achievements will be required in 2006/07 to deliver Shropshire's contribution to the national 2007 target.
	Shrewsbury Sixth Form College delivered Skills for Life activity to a funding value of 87,362 in 2004/05 and was allocated a further 65,000 for Skills for Life provision in 2005/06.
	In the funding and planning dialogue for 2006/07 the college was initially offered an indicative allocation for adult programme delivery of 132,639 (including Skills for Life) but the college itself requested the opportunity to review this provision due to its desire to focus development on its key mission: As a high quality post 16 establishment, Shrewsbury Sixth Form College is dedicated to meeting the needs of all its learners in a supportive and challenging environment. It specialises in the provision/teaching of advanced level courses for 1619 full time students.
	The college has seen significant growth in its delivery of 1618 learning with an additional 82 learners from 2004/05 to 2005/06, with a planned cohort of 1318 for 2006/07 and it has an outstanding record of delivery at level 3. Through the recognition of its mission, core specialisation, forward thinking and innovative co-location discussions with Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology, the sixth form college senior managers identified that Skills for Life provision may be more efficiently and effectively placed for delivery with other local providers.
	Consequently, the value of funding allocation that had been earmarked for Skills for Life provision for adults in 2006/07 at the college 95,928 has by mutual agreement been transferred across to Shrewsbury College of Art and Technology, thereby ensuring that the provision of Skills for Life learning remains local and available to the people of Shrewsbury.
	In summary, the Secretary of State, through the LSC is continuing to fund Skills for Life provision for learners in Shrewsbury, through the college of arts and technology rather then through the sixth form college. Both colleges are fully committed to maintaining accessible and high quality Skills for Life provision. This transfer of provision, agreed by all parties, supports the LSC's targets of providing high quality learning opportunities to make England better skilled and more competitive.
	I trust the information provided answers your questions, if I can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sixth-form Schools

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much her Department has allocated to raising the number of A-level students in small sixth-form schools in the last three years.

Jacqui Smith: The Department has allocated a total of 4.8 billion via the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) for school sixth forms in the last three years. 1.5 billion in 200304, 1.6 billion in 200405 and 1.7 billion in 200506. But information is not held centrally about allocations to sixth forms of different sizes. We have also introduced educational maintenance allowances (EMA) to boost participation across all post 16 routes. The EMA budget is 432 million in 200506, 566 million in 200607 and 597 million in 200708.
	In December 2005 the Department and the LSC launched a dedicated 1619 capital fund aimed at increasing choice and diversity in 1619 provision, including in school sixth forms. The 1619 capital fund includes 120 million in 200607 and 180 million in 200708.

Skills Training

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people aged (a) 30 to 39 years, (b) 40 to 49 years and (c) 50 years and over received skills training in (i) Lancashire and (ii) West Lancashire constituency in each year since 1997.

Phil Hope: This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, has written to my hon. Friend with this information and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.
	The Governments Skills Strategy, outlined in the two White Papers, 21st Century Skills: Realising Our Potential (July 2003) and Skills: Getting on in Business, Getting on at Work (March 2005), sets out our plans for ensuring that individuals have the skills needed to be both employable and personally fulfilled. The Government remain committed to ensuring that training serves the needs of the whole community, regardless of age or background. Everyone studying literacy and numeracy skills or a first full level 2 qualification, and all those on jobseeker's allowance or income related benefits and their dependents will continue to receive free tuition in further education. As well as this, the main vehicle we are creating for supporting training in the workplace, Train to Gain, will cater to the needs of a diverse range of employees, including older people.
	The Government's PSA target on adult attainment challenges us to reduce by at least 40 per cent. the number of adults in the workforce who lack NVQ Level 2 (equivalent to 5 A-C GCSEs) by 2010. Previous progress has been good: the proportion of adults in the workplace qualified to Level 2 and above rose from 65 per cent. in 1997 to 72 per cent. in 2004.
	Letter from Mark Haysom, dated 5 April 2006
	I write in response to your recent Parliamentary Question regarding skills training.
	Skills training is at the heart of the LSC's priorities and has featured significantly in both the first national Skills Strategy published in July 2003 and the more recent White Paper published in March 2005.
	On the specific question of how many people have been trained in Lancashire and your West Lancashire constituency please find the details in the table attached.
	You will note that the information only covers the years from 2001 when the LSC was first established. We do not hold any data prior to then.
	If you require any further detail regarding Lancashire please do not hesitate to contact Steve Palmer, Executive Director, at our Lancashire office who I know would be delighted to meet with you and share current and future plans that impact on skills training.
	
		Adult Learners in Further Education by Notional Level of Study
		
			  Skelmersdale College LSC Lancashire 
			 Age/Notional Level 2004/05 2003/04 2002/03 2001/02 2000/01 2004/05 2003/04 2002/03 2001/02 
		
		
			 30 to 39  
			 Level 1 and entry 916 1,190 1,264 975 799 8,817 10,034 10,377 8,666 
			 Level 2 515 559 504 887 785 8,477 8,064 8,174 10,402 
			 Level 3 233 343 308 393 443 4,461 4,477 4,688 5,615 
			 Level 4, 5 or higher 53 25 63 12 10 711 726 668 570 
			 Other 473 400 173 71 338 2,502 2,472 2,741 3,694 
			 Sub total 2,190 2,517 2,312 2,338 2,375 24,968 25,773 26,648 28,947 
			   
			 40 to 49  
			 Level 1 and entry 1,084 1,159 1,260 861 756 7,999 9,052 8,841 7,215 
			 Level 2 477 514 472 799 633 6,941 6,363 6,242 8,206 
			 Level 3 220 286 194 249 299 3,483 3,299 3,366 3,883 
			 Level 4, 5 or higher 34 19 42 18 8 615 515 459 460 
			 Other 397 336 144 52 267 2,276 2,184 2,208 2,723 
			 Sub total 2,212 2,314 2,112 1,979 1,963 21,314 21,413 21,116 22,487 
			   
			 50 to 59  
			 Level 1 and entry 743 873 1,106 759 684 5,474 6,776 6,928 5,532 
			 Level 2 329 350 359 526 429 3,983 3,806 3,822 5,362 
			 Level 3 87 114 104 135 136 1,525 1,562 1,713 1,975 
			 Level 4, 5 or higher 20 2 23 4 3 268 216 164 149 
			 Other 223 251 93 49 224 1,463 1,522 1,526 1,905 
			 Sub total 1,402 1,590 1,685 1,473 1,476 12,713 13,882 14,153 14,923 
			 Total 5,804 6,421 6,109 5,790 5,814 58,995 61,068 61,917 66,357

Skills Training (MOD Personnel)

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the role of her Department in providing skills training to Ministry of Defence personnel.

Maria Eagle: The Department does not provide any skills training for personnel in the Ministry of Defence.

Social Exclusion

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding streams her Department plans to finance in 200607 to tackle social exclusion.

Maria Eagle: Social exclusion is a multi-faceted problem, but tackling it is well embedded in the Department for Education and Skills policies. Through our Five Year Strategy for Children and Learners (July 2004), we are committed to giving children and families the best possible start in life, reducing the numbers of young people who leave school with low qualifications and poor literacy and numeracy skills and providing opportunities through widening participation for the numbers of young adults with low and poor skills.
	DfES policies place particular emphasis on child poverty and investing in high quality early years services because we know that this improves outcomes for children and that those benefits are greatest for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. Many Sure Start programmes, for example, are targeted on the most disadvantaged areas or groups, or targeted in their initial stages on the most disadvantaged communities, as are our new Children's Centres, which will be rolled out nationally by 2010. The General Sure Start Grant (GSSG) to local authorities funds Sure Start Children's Centres; inclusion, work force development and child care affordability and sustainability initiatives; and supports LAs in gearing up to meet the new duties in the Childcare Bill currently before Parliament. The GSSG will total around 1.5 billion in 200607.
	Well-organised, safe and stimulating activities before and after school and other extended services also make a real difference to children's chances at school. We have committed additional funding to support the development of extended services in schools by making approximately 160 million of funding available to local authorities since 2003 and we will be making a further 680 million available from 200608. Deprivation levels will be a factor in distributing funding.
	The 1419 White Paper set out our priorities for those aged 14 to 19, including new opportunities for young people to enjoy new styles of learning, in different settings and with more opportunities for practical and applied learning. Those at most risk of dropping out will get extra support. We are extending financial support such as Education Maintenance Allowance and a number of learner support funds will be available for those who need it. It also sets out our plans for ensuring that all young people develop functional skills (English, Maths and ICT) as these skills will enable individuals to operate confidently, effectively and independently in life and at work.
	The Government has earmarked just over 1.3 billion funding over the 200608 period for schools to support personalised learning during and beyond the school day, which will support access to extended services, especially for children from disadvantaged areas. This includes funding routed through the Dedicated Schools Grant, and the additional School Standards Grant money for personalised learning announced by the Chancellor in the Budget last week.

Social Segregation Report

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the Answer of 13 March 2006, Official Report, column 1880W, on the social segregation report, when she expects research work on social segregation in schools from the Centre of Economics of Education to be completed.

Jacqui Smith: This research work is due to be published on the Centre for the Economics of Education website http://cee.lse.ac.uk/ on Thursday 30 March.

Special Educational Needs

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of children in England with a special educational need have been given more than one fixed-term exclusion from school in a year.

Maria Eagle: The requested information is given in the following table.
	
		Maintained primary, secondary and special schools1, 2: Number of pupils by special educational needs (SEN)and fixed period exclusions 2003/04, England
		
			  Pupils with statements of SEN Pupils with SEN without statements Pupils with no SEN Total 
		
		
			 Number of pupils 227,250 1,167,740 6,211,060 7,606,040 
			 Number of pupils with one or more fixed period exclusions 18,290 69,090 114,400 201,780 
			 Of which: 
			 Number of pupils with more than one fixed period exclusions 8,950 30,170 32,260 71,380 
			 Percentage of pupils with more than one fixed period exclusions(48) 3.94 2.58 0.52 0.94 
		
	
	(46)Includes middle schools as deemed
	(47)Excludes non-maintained special schools.
	(48)Number of pupils with more than one fixed period exclusion by stage of SEN expressed as a percentage of the total number of pupils by same stage of SEN.
	Notes:
	Numbers have been rounded to the nearest 10. There may be discrepancies between the sum of constituent items and totals as shown.
	Source:
	Termly Exclusions Survey

Special Guardianship Orders

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many special guardianship orders have been made since 30 December 2005, broken down by region.

Harriet Harman: I have been asked to reply.
	The number of Special Guardianship Orders made in the county courts (including the high court) up to the end of February 2006 is 25. They are broken down by region as follows:
	
		
			 Region Number 
		
		
			 Eastern 2 
			 London 10 
			 Merseyside 1 
			 North East 1 
			 North West 3 
			 South East 3 
			 South West 3 
			 Wales 1 
			 West Midlands 1 
		
	
	Statistical information on the same for Family Proceedings Courts is not recorded.

Student Loans

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the impact of interest payable on unpaid student loans on the ability of graduates to repay loans.

Bill Rammell: Interest is only charged on student loans in line with inflation, which means no borrower pays back more in real terms than the value of the loan they took out. Borrowers repay loans at a fixed percentage of salary once their earnings reach the repayment threshold so fluctuations in the interest rate do not affect the monthly repayment amount.

Student Loans

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many graduates have still to start to repay student loans (a) in total and (b) in (i)England, (ii) Scotland, (iii) Wales and (iv) Northern Ireland.

Bill Rammell: This table shows student loan borrowers with mortgage-style loans who have not made any repayments up to 31 December 2005 and have passed their Statutory Repayment Due Date (SRDD). Borrowers are not required to repay before they reach the SRDD, which is the April after they graduate or otherwise leave their course. Mortgage-style borrowers who have passed their SRDD are able to apply for deferment of repayments if their income is below 85 per cent. of national average earnings, i.e. less than 24,137 per annum from 1 September 2005.
	
		
			 Country of domicile Mortgage-style borrowers passed SRDD who had not made any repayments, position at 31 December 2005 
		
		
			 England 120,000 
			 Wales 8,000 
			 Scotland 24,000 
			 Northern Ireland 7,000 
			 UK total 159,000 
		
	
	Source:
	Student Loans Company
	The following table shows student loan borrowers with income-contingent loans who have not made any repayments before 31 March 2004, and had passed their SRDD by that date. At that time income-contingent borrowers who had passed the SRDD only made repayments when they were earning over 10,000. Since April 2005 this threshold has been increased to 15,000.
	
		
			 Country of domicile Income-contingent borrowers passed SRDD who had not made any repayments, position at 31 March 2004 
		
		
			 England 332,000 
			 Wales 22,000 
			 Scotland 62,000 
			 Northern Ireland 16,000 
			 UK total 432,000 
		
	
	Source:
	Student Loans Company
	Complete information for more recent dates are not yet available due to the system of collection via the tax system and subsequent reporting to the Student Loans Company.

Superannuation Liability

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what total amount of employers' normal contributions accruing superannuation liability charge has been accounted for by her Department in each of the last five years for which data are available.

Maria Eagle: The amount of employers' accruing superannuation liability charges in respect of members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme in the last five years is:
	
		
			  000 
		
		
			 200405(49) 17,529,105 
			 200304(49) 17,455,539 
			 200203(49) 14,991,954 
			 200102 12,793,713 
			 200001 12,284,901 
		
	
	(49)From 1 October 2002 new entrants have been able to opt for a partnership pension partnership account, a stakeholder arrangement with an employer contribution. Employers' contributions to partnership pension accounts are not included in the figures in the table.

Tourette's Syndrome

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps her Department is taking to ensure that education professionals are trained to work with students with Tourette's syndrome.

Maria Eagle: We have a number of training programmes in place which aim to provide educational professionals with the necessary skills to enable them to make suitable provision for children with special educational needs (SEN), including those with Tourette's syndrome.
	In order to be awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), all trainee teachers must demonstrate that they understand their responsibilities under the statutory Special Educational Needs Code of Practice. They must show that they know how to seek advice from specialists, such as the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), if they are concerned about children's development or behaviour or about less common types of SEN, such as Tourette's Syndrome. They must also be able to differentiate their teaching to meet the needs of individual pupils including those with SEN.
	All schools receive a School Development Grant which they are able to use to support improvement in any aspect of teaching and learning including training. Local authorities may retain a proportion of this grant to provide specific training and development programmes for staff in teaching children with SEN.
	The Department has introduced the National Programme for Specialist Leaders in Behaviour and Attendance (NPSL-BA) which is giving teaching and non-teaching staff the status and qualification to lead colleagues in developing programmes for managing behaviour positively. The programme was piloted in 2004/05 and in now being extended nationally.

Truancy

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the truancy levels were in schools in (a) Lancaster and Wyre constituency, (b) Lancashire and (c) England in each year since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: The Department does not hold data on the levels of truancy. However, the figures for the percentage of half days missed due to unauthorised absence (of which truancy forms a part) in maintained mainstream schools can be found in the table.
	
		
			  Lancaster and Wyre Lancashire England 
		
		
			 Percentage of half days missed in maintained primary schools due to unauthorised absence 
			 1997/98 0.2 0.3 0.50 
			 1998/99 0.1 0.4 0.49 
			 1999/2000 0.2 0.35 0.47 
			 2000/01 0.3 0.30 0.49 
			 2001/02 0.3 0.34 0.45 
			 2002/03 0.2 0.31 0.43 
			 2003/04 0.2 0.32 0.41 
			 2004/05 0.2 0.34 0.43 
			 
			 Percentage of half days missed in maintained secondary schools due to unauthorised absence 
			 1997/98 0.4 0.8 1.10 
			 1998/99 0.5 0.9 1.07 
			 1999/2000 0.6 0.81 1.04 
			 2000/01 0.4 0.80 1.07 
			 2001/02 0.4 0.82 1.09 
			 2002/03 0.5 0.82 1.07 
			 2003/04 0.5 0.88 1.13 
			 2004/05 0.6 0.93 1.23

Truancy

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps the Government are taking to reduce truancy.

Jacqui Smith: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 9 November 2005, Official Report, column 623W.

University Grant

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students from (a) Romford, (b) Havering, (c) Greater London and (d) England received the full university grant in each of the last five years.

Bill Rammell: The new Maintenance Grant, and the equivalent Special Support Grant, of up to 2,700 are being introduced for new full-time students who start their course in September 2006 or later. Data on the numbers of students in receipt of the full Grants are, therefore, not available yet. However, we anticipate that around 30 per cent. of new full-time students in England in 2006/07 will receive the full grant, while around 50 per cent. will receive either a full or partial grant.
	No estimates are available at a sub-England level.

VAT

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how she proposes to apply the exemption from value added tax for new buildings for (a) city academies with community use and (b) other youth and education facilities with community use; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 30 March 2006
	There is no specific exemption from VAT in relation to new buildings for youth and education facilities. However, where youth and education facilities are owned and used by charities for the purpose of non-business activities, VAT on a new build at zero rate may apply. This would include academies which are charitable companies. In such cases, new build facilities, or parts thereof, can be zero rated for VAT, provided that they are used exclusively for core education activities or for other activities where no charge is made. VAT relief also applies to those parts of the building used for business-use provided this does not exceed 10 per cent. of the total use.

Vocational Diplomas

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps the Government are taking to encourage students to pursue vocational diplomas.

Phil Hope: We are working with 14 to 19 partnerships around the country so that schools and colleges are in a position to offer five of the new specialised diploma courses from September 2008. We are also working with the Connexions Service so that young people have the information that they need about the new diplomas. We are planning a major communications campaign next year to coincide with the publication of the first five diplomas.
	Substantial resources are already going into initial teacher training, work force remodelling, improved teaching practice and workforce development through mainstream schools and post-16 budgets and through our existing qualifications budgets. Money spent on workforce development to support delivery of specialised diplomas, on which we are engaging the Quality Improvement Agency and the Specialised Schools and Academies Trust (SSAT), will be 5 million in 200607 and 45 million in 200708.

Voluntary State Organisations

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her Department's policy is on allowing staff to join (a) the Reserves, (b) the Special Constabulary and (c) other voluntary state organisations; and if she will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: The Department is committed to members of staff volunteering in their local communities and provides release time to undertake such activities.
	The Department allows its staff to join (a) the Reserves, (b) the Special Constabulary and (c) other voluntary state organisations.

HEALTH

Anti-viral Influenza Drugs

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many anti-viral drugs for influenza are held per capita in England.

Caroline Flint: We do not keep records centrally regarding the number of antiviral drugs available in the national health service to treat seasonal influenza.
	We are purchasing a sufficient quantity of oseltamivir (Tamiflu) to treat the 25 per cent. of the population who might fall ill with pandemic influenza. We currently have 7.3 million treatment courses and deliveries will be complete by September 2006.

Apnee Sehat Initiative

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1) what assessment she has made of South Warwickshire Primary Care Trust's Apnee Sehat initiative; and what representations she has received on this initiative;
	(2)  whether she has viewed the South Warwickshire Primary Care Trust's Apnee Sehat DVD;
	(3)  whether she plans to visit the Apnee Sehat projects developed by South Warwickshire Primary Care Trust;
	(4)  if she will take steps to disseminate the Apnee Sehat initiative to areas with a high percentage of people of South Asian origin.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has been fully supportive of the production of this prime example of locally led positive action to improve the health of people particularly at risk of heart disease and diabetes. The Secretary of State will consider any invitation to visit such initiatives, and will take any suitable opportunity to ensure that others are aware of them.

Audiology

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance she has issued to (a) primary care trusts and (b) hospital trusts on dealing with referrals by GPs for hearing tests by an audiologist.

Liam Byrne: The Department has issued no guidance with reference to referrals by general practitioners for hearing tests by an audiologist.

BCG Vaccinations

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether schools in the Peterborough city council area will be included in a BCG inoculation programme.

Rosie Winterton: The change in Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccination policy set out in the Chief Medical Officer's letter of 6 July 2005, states that children who would otherwise have been offered BCG vaccination through the schools programme will now be screened, tested and vaccinated if appropriate. It is therefore the responsibility of the primary care trust to arrange suitable screening opportunities outside of the school setting.

BCG Vaccinations

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to ensure that there is sufficient BCG vaccine available to inoculate teenage children; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The chief medical officer's letter of 6 July 2005 announced the end of the universal Bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG) vaccination programme for all children between 10 and 14 years of age in favour of an improved targeted programme.
	Contracts are in place for the continued supply of BCG vaccine for those who require it.

Bowel Cancer

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when her Department plans to roll out the screening programme for bowel cancer (a) across England and (b) to the West Midlands.

Rosie Winterton: The Government have stated their commitment to a national bowel cancer screening programme, for which funding has been agreed. On 30 January 2006, the new Health White Paper, Our health, our care, our say: a new direction for community services, reaffirmed that the programme will be rolled out from April 2006.
	Five programme hubs across England will invite men and women to participate in the screening programme, send out the faecal occult blood (FOB) testing kits, interpret kits and send results out. 90 to 100 local screening centres will provide endoscopy services for the 2 per cent. of men and women who have a positive FOB test result.
	NHS Cancer Screening Programmes are currently assessing where the five programme hubs will be located. The English bowel cancer screening pilot site at the Hospital of St. Cross, Rugby, Warwickshire, is expected to become the first programme hub when national roll out begins. It is hoped to establish the other four programme hubs by March 2007, with announcements to be made in due course.
	NHS Cancer Screening Programmes are currently assessing strategic health authority bids for their local endoscopy units to become local screening centres. Announcements will be made in due course.

Burma

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether there is a licensing regime for the import of fish and seafood from Burma.

Caroline Flint: Imports of fishery products from Burma are allowed entry into the United Kingdom in accordance with European Union (EU) food hygiene legislation. A licence is not required, but all consignments must come from establishments approved to EU standards and be accompanied by officially signed public health certification. All consignments must also be presented for import at specified UK border inspection posts for mandatory checks prior to entry. Further details on the import requirements and relevant contact points can be found on the Food Standards Agency's website at:
	www.food.gov.uk/enforcement/imports/want_to-import/fish_or_shellfish/.

Cancelled Operations

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients whose operations were cancelled with less than 24 hours notice have been (a) offered a new date within 28 days and (b) offered a choice of treatment at a different hospital in each quarter since April 2002, broken down by NHS trust.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 30 March 2006
	All patients whose operations are cancelled by the hospital on the day of surgery should be offered a new operation date within 28 days. Under the cancelled operations guarantee, if the national health service trust is unable to treat the patient within this 28-day period then it must make provision for the patient to move to the hospital of their choice for treatment.
	Data on the number of patients admitted within 28 days of cancellation and on the number of patients offered treatment at an alternative hospital, broken down by NHS trust, for each quarter since April 2002 are available in the Library. Similar data are also available on the Department's website at: www.performance.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity/data_requests/cancelled_operations.htm

Cancer

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research she has had conducted into the possible link between industrial processes and the incidence of cancer; and if she will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: I have been asked to reply.
	The Health and Safety Executive has been involved in an extensive variety of research over many years linked to industrial processes and the incidence of cancer.
	A key current piece of research is an updated assessment of the current and predicted future burden of occupational cancer. HSE is also reviewing the available toxicological and hygiene information on about 100 known or probable carcinogens with a view to enabling identification of those that appear to be most potent or are in wide use today.
	Other examples of ongoing research include:
	An updated mortality and cancer registration analysis of licensed asbestos workers (HSL/HSE).
	A mortality and cancer registration analysis of licensed pesticide applicators (HSL/HSE).
	A case-control study of adult brain tumours in relation to electromagnetic field, pesticides and solvents (led by Leeds University).
	A case-control study of childhood cancer in relation to parental preconceptional exposure to chemicals (Leeds University).

Cancer

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what recent research she has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the effect of exposure to chemicals in the causation of cancer, with particular reference to pesticides;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the extent to which there is a correlation between the incidence of cancer and the prevalence of chemical use.

Caroline Flint: There is little convincing evidence to indicate that environmental exposure to chemicals in the United Kingdom causes cancer. However, exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (passive smoking) is known to be associated with a 10 to 30 per cent. increase in lung cancer.
	The committees on mutagenicity and carcinogenicity of chemicals in food, consumer products and the environment, which are independent advisory committees reporting to the chief medical officer and the chairman of the Food Standards Agency, are occasionally asked to advise on issues of pesticides and carcinogenic risk. The committee on mutagenicity recently completed a review of biomonitoring studies of genotoxicity in pesticide applicators and the committee on carcinogenicity has conducted a detailed evaluation of whether certain organochlorine pesticides are a cause of breast cancer. These and other reviews by the committees is available on the Department's website at:
	www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/com/index.htm and www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/coc/index.htm) or in their annual reports.

Capio Healthcare

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the value is of work contracted to Capio Healthcare by the NHS; what types of treatment the contracts cover; for how many patients; and what miscellaneous payments have been made to Capio Healthcare in relation to the contracted work.

Liam Byrne: As part of the national procurement of surgical activity from the independent sector, Capio Healthcare UK provides the so-called spine chain of independent sector treatment centres. The contract provides for 100,521 procedures and 2,000 diagnostic tests over five years from nine facilities. The casemixes vary from facility to facility but comprise ophthalmology, general surgery, gastroenterology, gynaecology, urology, hernias, varicose veins, colonoscopies, minor skin surgery, orthopaedics, trauma, upper scopes, spinal surgery and dermatology. The value of the contract is commercial in confidence and payments to Capio Healthcare has been made in accordance with the contract. A further facility in West Surrey is under negotiation.
	Capio Healthcare also provided 12,516 mainly orthopaedic procedures via its existing facilities through a one year centrally funded supplementary contract between May 2004 and June 2005. The value of the contract is commercial in confidence.

Cardiac Screening (Children)

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will put in place arrangements for screening all children for cardiac problems; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The United Kingdom national screening committee, which advises the Government on all aspects of screening, does not recommend population screening for abnormal heart conditions in children and young people as current evidence does not support this.
	Testing for certain heart problems is offered, where appropriate, to close relatives of those who have died suddenly and unexpectedly of a suspected genetic cardiac condition. This is supported by the national service framework chapter for arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death, which was published on 4 March 2005.

Care Costs

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what procedures she is adopting to ensure that social services always advise patients that they cannot be compelled to sell their homes to pay for care in their own lifetime.

Liam Byrne: We introduced the deferred payments scheme measures to help people moving into residential care to avoid having to sell their homes against their wishes during their lifetime. The Department issued specific guidance to local authorities to advise people about the deferred payments scheme in LAC(2001)25.
	As part of its service inspections the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) looks at the quantity and quality of information that local authorities provide to residents and their representatives about how fees are calculated, and proportions that a service user would have to pay. The CSCI also looks at what complaints were being received by local authorities about who it carries out its social services functions.

Childhood Mortality (Lancashire)

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to reduce the incidence of childhood mortality in the Lancashire area; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The responsibility for local health services now lies with the local national health service and it is for primary care trusts in conjunction with strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders to plan and develop services to meet the needs of their local populations.
	The Department has an infant mortality target of a 10 per cent., reduction in the relative gap between routine and manual socio-economic groups and England as a whole from a baseline year of 1998 (the average of 199799) to the target year of 2010.
	The Department has a number of initiatives aimed at tackling this gap in infant mortality. These include reducing maternal smoking as it is a risk factor for infant mortality, improving breastfeeding rates through a range of initiatives aimed at new and disadvantaged mothers, and improving neonatal services countrywide. In addition, the Department aims to reduce teenage pregnancy rates, since babies of teenage mothers have a 60 per cent., higher infant mortality rate than other age groups, and offer disadvantaged families greater access to healthy foods through the healthy start scheme.
	These initiatives are expected to reduce the infant mortality level nationally, including the Lancashire area.

Childhood Obesity

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to reduce the incidence of childhood obesity in Peterborough and Cambridgeshire; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The responsibility for local health services lies with the local national health service. It is for primary care trusts in conjunction with strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders to plan and develop services to meet the needs of their local populations.
	Reducing obesity in both children and adults is one of the key overarching priorities of the Government White Paper, Choosing health. The White Paper sets out a comprehensive strategy for tackling obesity and has given a solid foundation for future work. We have also set a national public service agreement target to halt, by 2010, the year-on-year increase in obesity among children under 11 in the context of a broader strategy to tackle obesity in the population as a whole. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance on the prevention, identification, assessment and management of overweight and obesity in adults and children is currently out for consultation and will also be available in November 2006.
	Current action on diet includes investment in the 5 a Day programme including the school fruit and vegetable scheme, promotion of breastfeeding, action to improve diet and nutrition across the whole school as well as work with industry on food promotion to children and reducing salt, fat and sugar. Current action on physical activity includes nine local exercise action pilots to evaluate the impact of community partnerships to increase physical activity, Schools on the Move piloting the use of pedometers in schools and an evaluation of the health impact of transport interventions as part of the sustainable travel towns programme.

Choose and Book System

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which primary care trusts have been used as pilots for the choose and book system.

Liam Byrne: The choose and book programme concluded its proof of concept (pilot) phase in June 2005 and was conducted in the following primary care trust (PCT) areas:
	Huntingdonshire PCT
	South Cambridgeshire PCT
	Haringey Teaching PCT
	Barnsley PCT
	Craven, Harrogate and Rural PCT
	North Eastern Derbyshire PCT
	Derbyshire Dales and South PCT
	Richmond, Twickenham and Roehampton PCT
	Kingston PCT
	Croydon PCT
	Isle of Wight PCT
	Central Cheshire PCT

Clinical Contracts

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the occasions on which the NHS has entered into national clinical contracts with third party suppliers where the level of remuneration does not depend on the volume of procedures carried out.

Liam Byrne: The national contracts that have been awarded centrally for the provision of clinical services under the auspices of the independent sector treatment centre programme operate on a take or pay basis and the remuneration is for an agreed value rather than volume of activity set out in the contracts.

Clinical Negligence

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many clinical negligence cases were closed by the NHS Litigation Authority in 2005; how many of these cases were funded by (a) legal aid, (b) conditional fee arrangements and (c) private means; and how many cases in each category of funding resulted in (i) an award of damages and (ii) a settlement involving an agreement to pay damages.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 30 March 2006
	The number of clinical negligence cases closed by the NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) in either the financial year 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006 or calendar year 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2005 is not yet available. The number of clinical negligence claims closed in the financial year 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005 were 7,860 of which 3,583 had damages payments. The NHSLA does not keep records on the legal funding arrangements arranged by claimants.

Coronary Heart Disease

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how progress against achieving the quality standards laid down in the Coronary Heart Disease National Service Framework is being measured.

Rosie Winterton: Following the Government's decision to devolve most central funding to local primary care trusts (PCTs) and strategic health authorities, the balance of power has further shifted by moving away from a central target-based focus, to allow PCTs to devise local strategies to meet the specific needs and demands in their own area. The Healthcare Commission produces an annual star ratings report of performance for national health service trusts in England to assess progress against existing standards and targets, and to promote improvement in the quality of healthcare.

Crohn's Disease

Peter Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make Crohn's disease a reportable illness.

Liam Byrne: Under the Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984 and associated regulations, notification of a number of communicable diseases is legal requirement. Notifications are necessary to identify and prevent the spread of infectious disease.
	No infectious agent has been identified as the cause of Crohn's disease so it would be inappropriate to designate it a notifiable disease for the purposes of the Act.

Dementia (Staff Injuries)

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of health and social care staff injured by people with dementia in each of the last four years for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Dentistry

Phil Willis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dental practices are (a) treating children and (b) prepared to accept children as NHS patients in each primary care trust in England.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 27 March 2006
	The number of addresses in England with an open general dental services or personal dental services contract on 28 February 2006 and a child registration and/or a child claim in the three months ending on 28 February 2006 has been placed in the Library.
	Information on the number of national health service dental practices that are registering new patients is not held centrally.

Dentistry

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what discussions (a) she and (b) her officials have had with the Royal College of Nursing and other professional bodies concerned with dental nursing on (i)the implications of the General Dental Council's requirements for registration and professional qualifications to be held by all dental nurses from 2008 and (ii) pay and conditions for dental nurses;
	(2)  how many and what percentage of dental nurses in England hold a professional qualification, broken down by region; and how many of these qualifications were gained (a) by National Certificate, (b) by relevant NVQ qualifications and (c) through other courses;
	(3)  how many dental nurses are employed in each region;
	(4)  what recent discussions she has had with the General Dental Council on dental nursing salaries.

Rosie Winterton: The powers under which the General Dental Council (GDC) is to make dental nursing a registrable profession were included in an Order approved by Parliament in July 2005. Departmental officials have discussed the practicalities of registration with both the GDC and the British Association of Dental Nurses (the representative body for dental nurses). As a result, the Department funded the development of distance learning materials to provide for existing dental nurses to meet the educational requirements for registration.
	The pay and conditions of dental nurses are a matter for their employers. Most dental nurses are employed by general dental practitioners who are independent contractors. The Department does not hold information on their numbers and qualifications.

Dentistry

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of dental nurses who are members of the NHS pension scheme; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not held centrally.

Dentistry

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average annual salary of dental nurses is in each region.

Rosie Winterton: Information on the salaries of dental nurses is not held centrally as the pay and conditions of dental nurses are a matter for their employers. Most dental nurses are employed by general dental practitioners who are independent contractors.

Dentistry

Greg Pope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists were treating NHS patients in Hyndburn in (a) 1997 and (b) the last year for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: As at 30 September 2005, there were 65 national health service dentists with a general dental services or personal dental services contract within Hyndburn and Ribble Valley primary care trust. The corresponding figure for 30 September 1997 was 44.
	Source:Dental Practice Board

Dentistry

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of national insurance contributions was assigned to funding NHS dentistry for 200506.

Rosie Winterton: It is not the Government's policy to assign a given percentage of national insurance contributions to the finding of dental services. In 200405, the national insurance contributions available to the national health service vote were 15,134 million. Total NHS net expenditure including capital was 69,706 million.
	The main element of NHS dental services are the primary dental care services provided by dentists working within the general dental services (GDS), or personal dental services (PDS) pilots, and estimated expenditure on GDS and PDS in 200405, net of dental charge income contributed by patients, was 1,486 million.

Dentistry

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding her Department has provided to (a) Eastern Leicester primary care trust and (b) the NHS for dental services in each year between 1997 to 2005.

Rosie Winterton: The main element of national health service dental services are the primary dental care services provided by dentists working within the general dental services (GDS) or personal dental services (PDS) pilots. Gross and net expenditure on the GDS is set out in the following table. The table also includes gross expenditure on PDS pilots, but it is not possible to provide similar data for net PDS expenditure as patient charge income is not separately identified in NHS accounts. Based on estimates from Dental Practice Board payments data, we approximate that PDS expenditure in 200405 net of patient charge income was around 240 million.
	
		Expenditure on GDS and PDS, England
		
			 million 
			  Gross GDS(50) Net GDS(51) Gross PDS(52) 
		
		
			 199798 1,348 959 0 
			 199899 1,438 1,018 4 
			 19992000 1,477 1,046 13 
			 200001 1,561 1,109 22 
			 200102 1,638 1,166 36 
			 200203 1,709 1,222 41 
			 200304 1,767 1,283 48 
			 200405 1,671 1,246 (53)280 
		
	
	(50)Expenditure data for 199798 to 19992000 are based on cash data in Appropriation Accounts. Data from 200001 onwards are based on the relevant resource accounts data from health authorities and primary care trusts (PCTs). This is to reflect the change in Department accountancy practices.
	(51)Net expenditure represents the cost of the service after taking account of dental charge income collected from patients.
	(52)NHS accounts data up to 200405 do not separately identify all elements of PDS gross expenditure. See note 4 for 200405 data.
	(53)An estimate of gross PDS expenditure based on payments data obtained from the Dental Practice Board.
	The level of expenditure on hospital and community dental services is decided at local level by PCTs.
	GDS is currently a non discretionary service funded from a national budget where expenditure is mainly determined by the volume of NHS work that dentists undertake. Local budget allocations are not assigned to individual PCTs. Data on the level of expenditure within the area of the Eastern Leicester PCT, drawn from payments data obtained from the Dental Practice Board, are set out in the following table. Payment data are only attributable to individual PCT areas from 200001 onwards.
	
		GDS and PDS Dental payments within Eastern Leicester PCT --  million
		
			  Gross GDS and PDS payments (54)(5509060055)(56) Net GDS and PDS payments (57) 
		
		
			 200001 6.564 4.832 
			 200102 7.343 5.506 
			 200203 7.622 5.816 
			 200304 7.764 5.920 
			 200405 7.853 6.003 
		
	
	(54)Gross GDS payments include adult fees (including item of service and continuing care payments), child fees (including item of service and capitation payments), commitment payments and point of treatment check payment training (in 2001 only), seniority payments, maternity/paternity/adoptive leave payments, long term sick leave payments, continuing professional development allowances including travel hours, reimbursement of business rates, vocational training grants, vocational trainee salaries and National Insurance contribution costs, clinical audit convenors, clinical audit payments, clinical audit secretarial support and travel expenses. Employer's superannuation costs are excluded.
	(55)National PDS data for payments to PDS practices are available for 200405 only. This national data do not show PDS payments within Eastern Leicester PCT in 200405. However, the data cannot identify the cost of any PDS services that may be provided in Eastern Leicester PCT that are directly managed by local NHS trusts, such as certain dental access centres.
	(56)Payments are assigned to PCT areas on the basis of practice postcode data.
	(57)Net payments represent the balance of payments due after taking account of NHS dental charge income collected from patients by dental practices.

Dentistry

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the annual salary can be expected by (a) a dentist and (b) a general practitioner doing NHS work full time.

Liam Byrne: Most general dental practitioners and general medical practitioners (GPs) are not paid on a salaried basis, but through fees and payments for the services they provide to national health service patients. The payments they receive from the NHS go towards the costs of running their practices as well as providing the practitioner's net income. As such, there are a range of factors that influence the final net income, including the range and level of NHS work carried out and the practice expenses they incur.
	The forecast intended average net income for all GPs in Great Britain in the 200304 financial year was 67,040. By comparison, the estimated average net income for a dentist with a reasonable NHS commitment in 200304 in England was 66,700. This is the latest year for which this information is available for both doctors and dentists.

Dentistry

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the oral answer from the Minister of State for Health Services on 31 January 2006, Official Report, column 155, on NHS dentistry, if she will clarify the position regarding the increase in dental patient registrations in the Charnwood constituency.

Rosie Winterton: The table shows the dental patient registrations in the primary care trusts (PCTs) covered by the Charnwood constituency as at 30 November 2004 and 30 November 2005.
	
		
			  As at 30 November: 
			 PCT 2004 2005 Percentage change 
		
		
			 South Leicestershire 81,925 83,827 2.30 
			 Charnwood and North West Leicestershire 128,355 130,226 1.50 
			 Melton, Rutland and Harborough 58,181 50,618 -13

Dentistry

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she will take to ensure dentists with atypical earnings during the test period are not disadvantaged under the new dental contract.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has made clear in its guidance to primary care trusts (PCTs) that, under the terms of the statement of financial entitlements, it is for PCTs to agree with dentists how far it is appropriate to take into account factors such as vacancies or absences during the recent reference period in agreeing new general dental services (GDS) contracts or personal dental services (PDS) agreements.
	Where the terms of the GDS contracts or PDS agreements cannot be fully resolved by 31 March 2006, dentists have a right to follow the disputes procedure including, where necessary, referral to the NHS Litigation Authority.

Dentistry

Clare Short: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many courses of NHS dental treatment involved (a) one filling only and (b) one crown only in the last 12 months.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 6 March 2006
	In year ending 31 December 2005, the number of claims for treatment by general dental services and personal dental services dentists in England that involved just one filling (and no other treatment) was 1,287,688. The number that involved one crown (and no other treatment) was 44,008.
	Source:
	Dental Practice Board

Dentistry

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were registered with a (a) personal dental services and (b) general dental services dentist in (i) each parliamentary constituency and (ii) England in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: Information on general dental services (GDS) and personal dental services (PDS) registrations by parliamentary constituency is not held centrally. A breakdown of GDS and PDS registrations by primary care trust as at 31 March in each specified year has been placed in the Library.
	As at 30 November 2005, 24.8 million patients were registered with GDS and PDS dentists.

Dentistry

John Leech: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people under the age of 16 years are not registered with an NHS dentist in (a) Manchester and (b) Withington constituency.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not hold data on people who are not registered with a national health service dentist. Using population estimates at 2004 it is possible to estimate the percentage of patients registered in the Greater Manchester strategic health authority (SHA) and in South Manchester primary care trust (PCT) and Central Manchester PCT.
	
		Estimate of the percentage of patients registered(using population estimates at 2004)
		
			  Adults Children 
		
		
			 South Manchester PCT 41 55 
			 Central Manchester PCT 47 58 
			 Greater Manchester SHA 52 61 
			 England 46 60 
		
	
	Notes:
	Patients are registered in the area that the dental surgery is located.
	Children are those under 18.
	The Department does not hold data for under 16s.

Dentistry

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average pay is for a full-time dental nurse; and if she will make a statement on her plans to improve recruitment and retention in the dental profession.

Rosie Winterton: Information on the salaries of dental nurses is not held centrally as the pay and conditions of dental nurses are a matter for their employers. Most dental nurses are employed by general dental practitioners who are independent contractors.

Dentistry

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance she has issued to the Eastleigh and Test Valley South primary care trust on the (a) production and (b) monitoring of the implementation of a dental action plan.

Rosie Winterton: There is no specific requirement for primary care trusts (PCTs) to produce dental action plans. However, the Department has issued guidance to PCTs on the specific actions that are required to implement the new dental contract. It is for PCTs to agree locally how to use local commissioning to reflect local needs and priorities.
	The decision to move to 50 per cent. PPA does not produce any dividends to the Department.
	No formal assessment has been made of the potential effects of the earlier phasing out of the purchaser parity adjustment scheme within the healthcare system in Suffolk. However, it is recognised that the impact of the decision to phase out PPA may have a disproportionate impact on some commissioners. As a result, strategic health authority transition leads have been advised that they can hold reserves locally, as set out in the NHS operating framework for 200607, to help manage financial risk and ease transition in PCTs which are hit hardest.

Dentistry

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many times she met the British Dental Association between July 2005 and January 2006 to discuss the NHS dental contracts.

Rosie Winterton: I have discussed the national health service dental contract at meetings with the British Dental Association on 6 July and 1 December 2005, and 14 February 2006.

Dentistry

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether orthodontists are required to sign their NHS dental contract by 1 April 2006; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Any orthodontist providing national health service treatment after 1 April 2006 must have signed a new personal dental services (PDS) agreement or (if also providing the full range of general dental services) a new general dental services (GDS) contract.
	Where a primary care trust (PCT) has provided reasonable opportunities to sign a new PDS agreement or GDS contract by 31 March 2006, dentists, including orthodontists, currently providing PDS or GDS services who have not signed by this date, will no longer be entitled to be offered a new contract. A PCT may, however, agree new contracts with dentists, including orthodontists, at a later date if it wishes.
	Where a dentist and a PCT were unable to resolve all aspects of the new PDS agreement or GDS contract by 31 March, the dentist could sign the contract with an indication of which terms are not yet agreed. This will enable the dentists to continue to provide NHS services from 1 April while these outstanding issues are resolved.

Dentistry

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average income of NHS dentists in Hampshire will be under the new NHS contract after April 2006 using the Annual Contract Value system.

Rosie Winterton: Specific data for Hampshire are not held centrally. However, nationally the historical estimates of average earnings and expenses for dentists nationally are calculated by the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre, based on data on gross fees and payments from the Dental Practice Board (DPB) and data from HM Revenue and Customs on expenses.
	DPB payment data show that on average, a dentist with a reasonable national health service commitment in 200405 in the general dental services (GDS) received gross GDS income of about 154,350. At 200506 remuneration levels, this would be a gross GDS income of around 159,600. Dentists with a reasonable commitment are defined as those with gross fee earnings of 59,100 or more. These averages covered some 7,640 GDS principal dentists who worked throughout the year 200405.
	HM Revenue and Customs information from dentists' tax returns show that the average ratio of expenses to gross earnings for a highly committed NHS dentist is around 52 per cent. (200304 tax year). The same source gives average net income of a highly committed NHS dentist from all sources as 78,600 in the tax year 200304, which would equate to an average of about 83,500 in 200506. This information is taken from the tax returns of 392 GDS principal dentists who were in non-associate business arrangements for whom the tax year ended between January and March 2004.
	Combining the estimate of average gross NHS income of 159,600 for a reasonably committed dentist with the 52 per cent. expenses ratio gives an average net NHS income of 76,600 and average expenses of 83,000 in 200506. The average net income of a highly committed NHS dentist would be higher.

Dentistry

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in Romsey constituency have been registered with an NHS dentist in each year from 1997 to 2005.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is as follows.
	
		General dental services and personal dental services: number of people registered with a national health service dentist inRomsey parliamentary constituency as at31 December in each specified year
		
			  Number registered 
		
		
			 1997 32,731 
			 1998 31,139 
			 1999 29,724 
			 2000 26,452 
			 2001 29,553 
			 2002 28,237 
			 2003 33,923 
			 2004 32,439 
			 2005 32,134 
		
	
	Note:
	The drop in registrations between December 1997 and December 1998 is mostly attributable to the reduction in re-registration period from two years to 15 months.
	Source:
	Dental Practice Board

Dentistry

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many dental advisers are employed by each primary care trust in England;
	(2)  how many orthodontics advisers are employed by each primary care trust in England.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not held centrally.

Dentistry

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what access women over 60 years have to free prescriptions provided by dentists; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Women over 60 years of age do not pay a charge for the dispensing of national health service dental prescriptions issued by a dentist providing NHS services.
	If the item being prescribed is not on the dental practitioners' formulary, then the prescription will be issued privately and will have to be paid for by the patient.

Dentistry

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS patients were registered with NHS general dental practitioners in the Stockport primary care trust area in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		General dental services (GDS) and personal dental services (PDS): Patients registered with a national health service dentist in Stockport primary care trust as at31 December in each specified year
		
			  Number of patients registered 
		
		
			 1997 193,405 
			 1998 176,001 
			 1999 175,883 
			 2000 177,280 
			 2001 175,562 
			 2002 169,157 
			 2003 168,401 
			 2004 169,822 
			 2005 166,773 
		
	
	Notes:
	1.The drop in registrations between December 1997 and December 1998 is mostly attributable to the reduction in re-registration period from two years to 15 months.
	2.PDS schemes have varying registration periods. To ensure comparability with corresponding GDS data, PDS registrations for established PDS practices are estimated using proxy registrations, namely the number of patients seen by PDS practices in the past 15 months.
	3.Data for 2003 and earlier do not include those PDS schemes that do not have any registrations, for example dental access centres, and is therefore not directly comparable with 2004 and 2005 data.
	Source:
	Dental Practice Board.

Dentistry

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health why she did not submit (a) the National Health Service (General Dental Services Contracts) Regulations 2005 and (b) the National Health Service (Personal Dental Services Agreements) Regulations 2005 for formal 12-week public consultation.

Rosie Winterton: There was a 12 week public consultation on the National Health Service (Dental Charges) Regulations 2005.
	Both the National Health Service (General Dental Services Contracts) Regulations 2005 and the National Health Service (Personal Dental Services Agreements) Regulations 2005 were not subject to the requirement for a formal 12-week public consultation. However, both sets of Regulations were published in draft during the National Health Service (Dental Charges) Regulations 2005 consultation period. During this time, a number of stakeholders commented on the draft Regulations and their comments were taken into account before the publication of the revised regulations on 9 December 2005.
	The regulatory impact assessment for these regulations is available on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/12/65/04/04126504.pdf and includes the outcome of this consultation.

Dentistry

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dental practices in (a) Eastleigh and Test Valley South Primary Care Trust, (b) Mid-Hampshire Primary Care Trust, (c) Southampton City Primary Care Trust and (d) New Forest Primary Care Trust were accepting new NHS patients in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: Data regarding the number of dentists admitting new National Health Service patients are not available centrally. This information can be obtained from individual primary care trusts.

Dentistry

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she plans to launch a public awareness campaign illustrating the new dental charges and what they will mean for patients.

Rosie Winterton: The Department is running a national communications campaign to inform the public about changes to national health service dentistry. A patient information leaflet, covering the new charges, local commissioning of dental services and guidelines for dental recall intervals, has been distributed direct to dental practices, with copies also sent to primary care trusts (PCTs), along with a poster outlining the new patient charges. PCTs will be making the materials available at other community access points in their area. From early April the information will be available in other languages.
	The Department is also working with key public-facing information channels such as NHS Direct, Citizens Advice, Which?, Patient Advice and Liaison Services and the British Dental Health Foundation to provide comprehensive information that will support them in responding to inquiries.
	This work is supported by an ongoing national consumer media campaign and a toolkit for strategic health authorities and PCT communications leads that will enable them to increase awareness of the changes within their local communities.

Dentistry

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) hospital-based orthodontic consultants and (b) orthodontic specialists there were in the NHS in England in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The number of hospital based orthodontic consultants and orthodontic specialists in the national health service from 1997 to 2004 is shown in the following table.
	
		Hospital, public health medicine and community health services (HCHS): Hospital medical and hospital dental staff working within the orthodontics group of specialties by grade and year England at 30 September each year -- Numbers (headcount)
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 All grades 509 501 504 513 506 508 522 521 
			 Of which: 
			 Consultant 153 153 157 161 154 161 178 180 
			 Associate specialist 8 8 7 10 11 13 14 18 
			 Staff grade 14 10 10 14 14 9 12 18 
			 Registrar group 96 103 98 93 99 114 102 104 
			 Senior house officer 14 16 18 8 16 16 16 18 
			 House officer  1 1  
			 Clinical assistant 197 184 185 196 186 169 171 150 
			 Hospital practitioner 25 24 27 31 26 26 29 33 
			 Other hospital staff 2 2 1  
		
	
	Notes:
	 denotes zero
	Source:
	Health and Social Care Information Centre Medical and Dental Workforce Census

Dentistry

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether dentists withdrawing from the NHS are required to repay any of the costs of their training; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Dentistry is a degree course and there are no legal powers by which the costs of higher education may be recovered.
	Most dentists treat both national health service and private patients. In order to encourage dentists to maintain or increase their NHS commitment, we have taken measures to make NHS dentistry more attractive. The new NHS contracts will remove the treadmill effect associated with the previous remuneration system and enable dentists to give more time to their patients and spend more time on preventative care.

Dentistry

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many places are available on NHS dentists' lists in (a) the North East, (b) the Tees Valley and (c) Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland constituency.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Dentistry

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists in (a) England, (b) each English region and (c) the Tees Valley have moved to the private sector in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: Data on the destination of dentists leaving the general dental services or personal dental services are not held centrally.

Dentistry

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she intends to begin the review of how future increases in dental funding should be distributed; who will conduct the review; when she expects the review to complete its work; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has given a commitment that the funding devolved to primary care trusts with which to commission national health service primary dental care services will be ring-fenced for a period of at least three years, that is until the end of 200809, and that these arrangements will be reviewed towards the end of that period. We have not yet set a more precise timetable for this work. The work will be undertaken by the Department in consultation with the advisory committee on resource allocation and with other stakeholders.

Dentistry

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists in (a) Chesterfield Primary Care Trust and (b) Trent Strategic Health Authority are (i)accepting new NHS child patients, (ii) accepting new NHS adult paying patients and (iii) accepting new NHS adult payment exempt patients.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not held centrally.

Dentistry

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of (a) adults and (b) children in Chesterfield constituency are registered with an NHS dentist.

Rosie Winterton: The percentage of adults and children registered with a national health service dentist is not available at constituency level. The number and proportion of patients registered within Chesterfield Primary Care Trust as at December 2005, last available data, are shown in the table.
	
		General dental service and personal dental service (PDS) registrations/PDS patients seen
		
			  Number at 31 December 2005 Estimate of the percentage patients registered 
		
		
			 Children 19,138 86 
			 Adults 54,147 70 
			 All 73,285 73 
		
	
	Source:
	Dental Practice Board

Dentistry

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists were available to NHS patients in the Chichester district on 1 April 2005; and how many she expects to be available on the date on which the new dentists' contract is to be implemented.

Rosie Winterton: As at 31 March 2005, there were 63 national health service dentists with a general dental services or personal dental services contract within Chichester parliamentary constituency.

Dentistry

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists in Lancaster and Wyre constituency (a) operate fully within the NHS and (b) only offer NHS treatment for children.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not available in the format requested. As at 30 September 2005, there were 54 national health service dentists with a general dental services (GDS) or personal dental services (PDS) contract within Lancaster and Wyre parliamentary constituency.
	Information about who dentists offer to treat is not collected centrally. However, an analysis of NHS patient registrations data as at 1 June 2005 showed that within Morecambe Bay primary care trust (PCT) there were three dentists having only children registered and in Wyre PCT there were none with only children registered. This analysis is not available at constituency area.
	Notes:
	A dentist with a GDS or PDS contract may provide as little or as much NHS treatment as he or she chooses or has agreed with the PCT. Information concerning the amount of time dedicated to NHS work by individual GDS or PDS dentists is not centrally available.
	Data include all notifications of dentists joining or leaving the GDS or PDS, received by the Dental Practice Board, up to 19 October 2005. Figures for the numbers of dentists at specified dates may vary depending upon the notification period, e.g. data with a later notification period will include more recent notifications of dentists joining or leaving the GDS or PDS.
	Dentists consist of principals, assistants and trainees. Prison contracts have been excluded.
	The postcode of the dental practice was used to allocate dentists to specific geographic areas. Constituency areas have been defined using the Office for National Statistics All Fields Postcode Directory. Data on the number of dentists working only in private practice are not held centrally.
	Source:
	NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre

NHS Dentistry

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what factors underlay the decision to introduce the new contracts for NHS dentists.

Rosie Winterton: The old fee per item remuneration system encouraged high levels of invasive treatment and did not allow sufficient time for preventative work. The new contracts abolish this treadmill effect. They will pay dentists for the overall service they provide to patients, rather than on a fee per item basis and provide significantly more time for preventative care and oral health promotion.
	The old system has also failed to provide stability for local communities. Dentists could set up practices where they wished and vary the amount of national health service work they did without any influence by primary care trusts (PCTs). Where a dentist left the NHS or reduced the level of NHS service provided, the PCT was relatively powerless to replace this lost service. The new contracts enable PCTs and dentists to agree in advance what level of NHS service the dentists will provide. Where a dentist ceases to provide NHS service, the PCT will retain the funding for that contract and will use it to re-provide services.

NHS Dentistry

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what public consultation measures primary care trusts are obliged to carry out prior to the changes to dental commissioning due to the change of contract in April 2006; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Primary care trusts are required to undertake a proportionate consultation when reconfiguring local health services. In this case, they are not reconfiguring services but exercising their new powers to meet their statutory duty under new section 16CA(1) of the National Health Service Act 1977 to provide or secure the provision of primary dental services to the extent considered necessary to meet all reasonable requirements in their area.

NHS Dentistry

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was made available for NHS dentistry in North Yorkshire in 200506; and how much is planned for 200607.

Rosie Winterton: The main element of national health service dental services are the primary dental care services provided by dentists working within the general dental service (GDS), or personal dental service (PDS) pilots. The GDS is currently a non discretionary service funded from a national budget and expenditure is mainly determined by the volume of NHS work that dentists choose to undertake. Local budget allocations are not assigned to individual primary care trusts (PCTs).
	PDS pilots are managed locally, and the Department has allocated the sums shown in the table to PCTs in the area of the North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire strategic health authority to support PDS pilot schemes in 200506. These allocations are net of the expected contribution to service costs from dental charges collected directly from patients.
	Final audited GDS and PDS expenditure data for 200506 will not be available until some months after the year end.
	
		Personal dental service net funding allocations 200506
		
			 PCT Net funding allocation () 
		
		
			 Craven, Harrogate and Rural District 2,680,000 
			 East Yorkshire 1,830,000 
			 Eastern Hull 4,874,000 
			 Hambleton and Richmondshire 1,777,000 
			 North East Lincolnshire 3,401,000 
			 North Lincolnshire 3,738,000 
			 Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale 4,251,000 
			 Selby and York 6,498,000 
			 West Hull 4,803,000 
			 Yorkshire Wolds and Coast 2,013,000 
		
	
	We have moved to a new system for NHS dentistry from April 2006 under which PCTs are responsible for commissioning all primary dental care services for their local population embracing services currently provided through the GDS and PDS. We have issued PCTs with preliminary budgets to allow them to plan and commission services and expect to issue final budgets including an allowance for a 2006 pay uplift shortly. Preliminary budgets for 200607 for PCTs in the area of North and East Yorkshire SHA are shown in the table. The difference between gross budgets and net allocations is the expected contribution to costs from dental charges collected directly from patients.
	
		Provisional primary dental care allocations 200607 ()
		
			 PCT Gross budget at 200506 prices Net allocation at 200506 prices 
		
		
			 Craven, Harrogate and Rural District9,925,553 6,758,000 
			 East Yorkshire 5,125,232 3,409,000 
			 Eastern Hull 6,544,173 5,345,000 
			 Hambleton and Richmondshire 5,850,192 3,925,000 
			 North East Lincolnshire 7,543,906 5,686,000 
			 North Lincolnshire 5,914,460 4,170,000 
			 Scarborough, Whitby and Ryedale 7,485,161 5,214,000 
			 Selby and York 13,233,097 8,999,000 
			 West Hull 8,191,323 6,261,000 
			 Yorkshire Wolds and Coast 4,263,093 2,790,000

NHS Dentistry

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists were employed under the previous NHS dentistry contract in North Yorkshire at the time the new contract was introduced.

Rosie Winterton: In December 2005, there were 662 dentists with an open general dental services or personal dental services contract in North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire strategic health authority area. The new dental contract was introduced on 1 April 2006.

NHS Dentistry

Julie Kirkbride: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of people were registered with an NHS dentist on 31 March 2006 in each constituency in England.

Rosie Winterton: The number of people registered with a national health service dentist by constituency as at 31 December 2005 has been placed in the Library. Information on the percentage of people registered with a NHS dentist in each constituency is not available, as population estimates by constituency do not exist.
	Data for 31 March 2006 are not yet available.

Departmental Advice

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2006, Official Report, column 1818W, on departmental advice, if she will place in the Library the letter to strategic health authority chief executives from the Office of Strategic Health Authorities.

Liam Byrne: The letter of 23 September 2005 to strategic health authority chief executives from the Office of Strategic Health Authorities has been placed in the Library and is also available on the Department's website at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/OrganisationPolicy/Commissioning/CommissioningAPatientledNHS/fs/en.

Departmental Contracts

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what contracts her Department entered into with Medeva BV and its British subsidiary companies between 1 May 1997 and 31 December 2000;
	(2)  what contracts her Department entered into with Celltech Chiroscience Limited between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2003;
	(3)  what contracts her Department has entered into with Chiron Corporation and its subsidiary companies since 1 January 2003.

Jane Kennedy: During 1 May 1997 to 31 December 1999, Medeva plc was contracted for a number of vaccines as part of the childhood immunisation programme. These vaccines were Trivax AD, Diphtheria Tetanus, Diphtheria, Oral Polio, Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) percutaneous and intradermal and purified protein derivatives (PPD) Tuberculin dilutions.
	Some of these contracts will still have been running when the merger of Medeva plc and Celltech Chiroscience was announced in November 1999.
	During the early part of the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2003, we continued to contract for oral polio vaccine (April 2000 to March 2001). This was still referred to as Medeva oral polio vaccine and indeed Medeva still tendered for and contracted under the Medeva name for both oral polio, BCG and PPD.
	Since 1 January 2003, Chiron has been contracted for Diphtheria Tetanus vaccine and Meningitis C. Outside of the childhood programme Chiron have also supplied seasonal flu vaccine as part of the Department's contingency arrangements.
	It should also be noted that Chiron have been contracted since well before January 2003 as they were one of the first companies to supply Meningitis C vaccine when this was introduced to the childhood programme in 1999.
	These contracts were carried out by the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency and formerly NHS Supplies on behalf of the Department and do not cover contracts for the national health service.

Departmental Expenditure

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many widescreen televisions have been purchased by her Department for use in London headquarters in each of the last five years; and what the cost was in each year.

Liam Byrne: The Department has not purchased any widescreen televisions for use in London headquarters within the last five years.

Departmental Finance

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her Department's target is for paying invoices to contractors; and what percentage of bills were paid on time in the last period for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement given on 8 November 2005, Official Report, columns 1415WS by the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.

Depression

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the average waiting time is for a patient waiting for assessment and treatment in primary care for depression;
	(2)  what the average waiting time is for a patient waiting for assessment and treatment in secondary care for depression.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not centrally available. The Department collects waiting times according to consultant specialties and not individual diagnoses.

Depression

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what representations she has received on action that may be taken to improve services for patients with depression;
	(2)  what plans she has to recruit more psychological therapists to the NHS to tackle depression.

Rosie Winterton: We recognise that for many people with depression, waiting times for psychological therapies have been too long. Furthermore, clinical guidelines on the management of depression in primary and secondary care were issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in 2004. The guidelines recommend effective psychological treatments for people with depression and anxiety, and can be found on NICE'S website at www.nice.org.uk
	Therefore, and in line with our manifesto commitment and the White Paper, Our Health, Our Care, Our Say, we are embarking on a new programme'Improving Access to Psychological Therapies'for people with mild to moderate psychological needs. This will extend the availability of psychological therapies of proven effectiveness, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and connect interventions currently or potentially available in the workplace, in primary care and other community resources.
	Since 1997, the capacity of the mental health work force has increased: there are now 75 per cent. more clinical psychologists, 125 per cent. more qualified psychotherapists, 50 per cent. more consultant psychiatrists, 20 per cent. more mental health nurses, and 23 per cent. more art/music/drama therapists. We have also created the new role of graduate primary care mental health worker (graduate workers), trained in brief therapy techniques, to help general practitioners provide mental health interventions in a range of primary care settings. At the end of March 2005, there were 648 graduate workers employed in the national health service, and this number will increase further when current trainees qualify. All of these professions can provide CBT.

Diabetes

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of people identified as having diabetes in England were offered screening for the early detection of diabetic retinopathy in (a) each year since 200304 and (b) the most recent period for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: Performance data show that in 200304, 835,900 (52.7 per cent.) of people with diabetes were screened for retinopathy and 1,076,400 (61.3 per cent.) in 200405. The most recent data (at December 2005) show that 1,111,773 (59.6 per cent.) of people with diabetes have received screening for diabetic retinopathy in the preceding 12 months.

DNA Vaccine

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for South Cambridgeshire of 15 December 2005, Official Report, columns 22167W, on influenza vaccine, what assessment she has made of the particular benefits of developing a DNA vaccine; and for what reasons it may be some years before one is available.

Caroline Flint: Departmental officials have considered the potential benefits Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) vaccine may offer and have met a company developing a DNA vaccine to discuss progress in development.
	DNA vaccine manufacture is at an early stage of development and clinical trials must be conducted to demonstrate the safety and quality of these novel vaccines, and the level of protection they may offer. Such trials usually take several years to complete. It takes further time for regulatory authorities to fully evaluate the data generated from these trials, and thus it will be several years before such vaccines are likely to be licensed for use.
	In addition to technical issues relating to safety and efficacy, the means of administering DNA vaccines will require a great deal of development work for widespread population use.

Electroconvulsive Therapy

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information leaflets for members of the public are produced by her Department on the use of electroconvulsive therapy; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has not produced any information leaflets on the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for members of the public. The Mental Health Act Commission published a leaflet for detained patients about consent to ECT, which is available at www.mhac.org.uk.
	The guidance on the use of ECT published by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in 2003 included additional information for service users, their advocates and carers, and the public. This is available on NICE'S website at www.nice.org.uk.

Electroconvulsive Therapy

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the (a) risks and (b) potential benefits to the individual associated with the use of electroconvulsive therapy; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: No such assessment has been made by the Department. However, as part of its appraisal of the use of electroconvulsive therapy for depressive illness, schizophrenia, catatonia and mania published in 2003, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence assessed the available evidence on its clinical and cost effectiveness.

Electroconvulsive Therapy

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the guidance produced by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on electroconvulsive therapy was last reviewed; what conclusions were reached; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) published its technology appraisal guidance on electroconvulsive therapy in April 2003. A copy of the conclusions are available in the Library. NICE is currently considering whether a review of the guidance is necessary at this time.

Electroconvulsive Therapy

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department has undertaken in each of the last 20 years into the longer-term (a) benefits and (b) risks of electroconvulsive therapy; if she will place the research in the Library; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The main agency through which the Government supports medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is an independent body funded by the Department of Trade and Industry via the Office of Science and Technology.
	The MRC supports a large portfolio of research related to mental health disorders, parts of which may be relevant to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). One project specifically concerned with ECT has been funded since 1995. This is a trial grant given to Professor K. Ebmeier of the University of Edinburgh to fund research aimed at reducing adverse ECT effects on memory by magnetic stimulation. Earlier information is not available.
	The Department funds research programmes that support policy and provide the evidence needed to underpin quality improvement and service development in the NHS.
	Among these, the health technology assessment programme has, since its formation in 1993, supported two projects concerned with schizophrenia:
	Clinical and cost-effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy for depressive illness, schizophrenia, catatonia and mania; systematic reviews and economic modelling studies (Greenhalgh)
	and
	Clinical effectiveness and cost of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation versus ECT in severe depression: a multi-centre randomised controlled trial and economic analysis (Project not yet published)
	The policy research programme has supported one relevant project:
	Systematic review of the efficacy and safety of electroconvulsive therapy (UK ECT Review Group).
	Copies of the published project reports are available in the Library.
	Over 75 per cent. of the Department's total expenditure on health research is devolved to and managed by NHS organisations. Details of individual projects begun during the course of the last eight years, including some concerned with ECT, are available on the national research register on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/research. Earlier information is not available.

Electroconvulsive Therapy

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated cost has been of a treatment session of electroconvulsive therapy in each year since 1996.

Rosie Winterton: As part of its appraisal of the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for depressive illness, schizophrenia, catatonia and mania published in 2003, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) estimated the cost of six treatment sessions of ECT at 2,475. This does not include inpatient costs, which NICE estimated as 171 per day.

Electroconvulsive Therapy

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions her Department has had with (a) hon. Members, (b) Members of the House of Lords, (c) the British Medical Association, (d) members of the public and (e) the Royal College of Surgeons about the administration of electroconvulsive therapy in hospitals; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Departmental officials have nothad any recent discussions with hon. Members,Members of the House of Lords, the British Medical Association, members of the public or the Royal College of Surgeons about the administration of electroconvulsive therapy in hospitals.

Electroconvulsive Therapy

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of whether electroconvulsive therapy is used on pregnant women; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: No such assessment has been made by the Department. The guidance on the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) published by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in 2003 recommends clinicians to be particularly cautious when considering ECT treatment for women who are pregnant because they may be at higher risk of complications with ECT. Clinicians are expected to take full account of NICE guidance.

Emergency Contraception

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the retail price of emergency contraception was in each year since 2002; and how much valued-added tax was charged on the price in each year.

Caroline Flint: Information on the retail price of emergency hormonal contraception since 2002 is not held centrally.
	Medication purchased direct from a pharmacy, is a private transaction and is not controlled by the Government. Prices are set competitively by retailers and include value-added tax (VAT).
	Currently, the VAT for these items is charged at 17.5 per cent. With effect from 1 July 2006, this will be reduced to 5 per cent.

Energy Efficiency

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to increase energy efficiency within her Department; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The Department supports the Government's strategy to reduce carbon emissions and improve the energy efficiency of the Government estate. The Department has rationalised and reduced the size of its estate and by 200405 had reduced its overall energy consumption by 10 per cent., relative to 19992000.
	We have recently taken further action to conserve energy, by reducing the ambient temperature in those buildings where we have control of utilities.
	We are working with our information technology (IT) contractors to ensure that the energy used by our IT equipment is minimised.
	We intend further to reduce energy consumption with initiatives to replace ageing and energy inefficient equipment, and by implementing new working practices, and by replacing local printers with high capacity multifunction devices.
	We have recently signed up with the Carbon Trust for an energy audit of our three main buildings.

Erythropoietin

Dai Havard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the likely impact on (a) patients' quality of life, (b) national blood stocks and (c) demand for blood transfusions of the final appraisal from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence on erythropoietin as a treatment for cancer-based anaemia;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the likely impact of the decision to withdraw erythropoietin on the Government's target to bring the care of UK cancer patients up to European standards.

Rosie Winterton: The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is an independent body and we trust it to produce clinical and cost effective guidance to the national health service based on the latest available evidence and having considered comments they receive during consultation.
	The recommendations on erythropoietin do not constitute NICE'S final guidance to the NHS as they are subject to a period of appeal.
	I understand that NICE is likely to publish its final guidance on the use of erythropoietin for the management of anaemia induced by cancer treatment in May 2006 (subject to appeal). Further information is available from NICE website at www.nice.org.uk.
	We have no plans to carry out the assessments referred to.

Erythropoietin

Dai Havard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will review the cost assumptions used in the assessment of the efficacy of erythropoietin as a treatment for cancer-induced anaemia by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the relative weighting given to (a) survival and (b) quality of life in the assessment procedures adopted by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, with particular reference to its recent recommendation to withdraw erythropoietin as a treatment for cancer-induced anaemia;
	(3)  what assessment she has made of the amount of time spent undergoing blood transfusions by patients with cancer-induced anaemia as a result of the withdrawal of erythropoietin;
	(4)  what estimate she has made of the change in cost per patient as a result of the withdrawal of erythropoietin as a treatment for cancer-induced anaemia.

Rosie Winterton: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave on Thursday 6 April 2006.

Financial Irregularities

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many cases of financial irregularities have been recorded in her Department in each of the last five financial years; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The only cases recorded by the Department that can be construed as financial irregularities in each of the last five years are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of cases 
		
		
			 200001 0 
			 200102 5 
			 200203 2 
			 200304 3 
			 200405 4 
		
	
	The suggested reply to the question lists number of cases, as per the statement. The detail is as follows.
	200102: No information as to the type of fraud or theft readily available.
	200203: One travel and subsistence claim and one procurement fraud tendering.
	200304: One travel and subsistence claim, one fraud related to payment process and one investigation at community engagement agency approximate sum involved: 1.16 million brokered; of that 513,000 transferred into a private bank account. Outcome/action: disciplinary action taken against individual; bank accounts closed and monies returned to the Department by the bank.
	200405: Two travel and subsistence claims, one procurement fraud tendering and one fraud related to payment process.

Fluoridation

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to ensure that the public consultation process strategic health authorities follow in relation to fluoridation gives equal access to information and resources for those against and in favour of artificial fluoridation of water supplies.

Caroline Flint: In September 2005, the then chief dental officer issued guidance advising strategic health authorities of the need
	to organise consultations in which both supporters and opponents of fluoridation have the opportunity to participate.

Fluoridation

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funds she makes available to national groups who disseminate information (a) in favour of and (b) against water fluoridation.

Caroline Flint: For the 200506, financial year we paid grants of 90,000 to the British Fluoridation Society, which promotes the benefits of water fluoridation, and 125,000 to the National Fluoride Information Centre, which provides scientific information on research studies carried out into the effect of adding fluoride to water and other mediums such as milk and table salt.

Fluoridation

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department has (a) commissioned and (b) funded on artificial water fluoridation and (i)social inequalities and (ii) thyroid disorders in each year since 2000.

Caroline Flint: The Department has commissioned and funded two research studies.
	A Systematic Review of Public Water Fluoridation published by the University of York in 2000 concluded that the association between water fluoridation, caries and social class needs further clarification and identified two studies which found no significant association between thyroid disorders and water fluoridation and one study with a positive association. However, the positive study looked at combined fluoride/iodine intakes and has not been published in a peer review journal.
	Water Fluoridation and Health published by the Medical Research Council in 2002 endorsed the University of York's recommendation on the need for research into fluoridation and social class, but awarded further research on thyroid disorders low priority.

Food Labelling

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Government have commissioned research to investigate current mineral levels in (a) soils and (b) fresh foods; and if she will consider the merits of labelling fresh foods according to their overall mineral content.

Caroline Flint: The representative soil sampling scheme shows that overall the nutrient status of soils in England and Wales is satisfactory. The Food Standards Agency funds a rolling programme of analytical surveys that provide information on the nutrient content, including minerals, of all food types, including fresh foods. The nutrition labelling of pre-packed foods is currently under discussion in the European Union.

Generic Drugs

Quentin Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her estimate is of the savings that would accrue to the NHS if the principle of compulsory dispensing of the cheapest generic version of all ex-patent compounds were introduced.

Jane Kennedy: Data from the Prescription Pricing Authority indicate that for the three months October to December 2005, the estimated savings that could have been achieved through the compulsory generic dispensing of the top 40, in terms of the amount of potential saving that could be achieved, proprietary drugs for which a generic alternative is available and where the proprietary drug is suitable for substitution, was 10.3 million.

Government Contracts

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what investigations are undertaken as part of the evaluation of companies bidding for government contracts in the Department; and whether criminal investigations in (a) the UK and (b) other countries are taken into consideration.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 30 March 2006
	As part of the procurement process, the Department has a standard expression of interest (EOI) questionnaire. In parts D, E and F suppliers are asked to declare whether or not they have been subject to criminal convictions, proceedings, or failure to fulfil obligations. The questionnaire asks for details regardless of whether the offences were in the United Kingdom or abroad.
	When the completed responses are received a sifting exercise is conducted. Suppliers have always stated no to all questions in parts D to F in the EOI questionnaire. So there has not been a need to take any further action. However, if any supplier did state yes to any of the questions, then the team responsible for awarding the contract would take this into consideration and decide on an investigation and appropriate action.
	Additionally the EOI questionnaire also asks the supplier to submit financial information (part G(i)) which is taken into consideration and in some cases requires the Department to conduct a detailed financial analysis.
	A copy of the EOI questionnaire has been placed in the Library.

GPs/Pharmacists (Hertfordshire)

Charles Walker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures she has introduced in Hertfordshire to encourage greater collaboration between GPs and pharmacists; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: holding answer 30 March 2006
	Nationally the Department has introduced a number of measures to encourage greater collaboration between general practitioners (GPs) and pharmacists, such as repeat dispensing and medicine use reviews. While support has been provided nationally, it is for primary care trusts to oversee the implementation of these new services locally. I understand there has been collaborative and educational work in Hertfordshire to encourage GPs to work more closely with pharmacists.

Greater Manchester Health Trusts

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on her plans to increase funding for Greater Manchester health trusts.

Liam Byrne: Revenue allocations are made to primary care trusts (PCTs) to enable them to commission health care for their local populations. The most recent round of revenue allocations, covering 200607 and 200708, was announced in February 2005. The 200607 and 200708 revenue allocations represent 135 billion investment in the national health service, 64 billion to PCTs in 200607 and 70 billion in 200708.
	The revenue allocations for 200607 and 200708 for PCTs in the Greater Manchester strategic health authority are shown in the table.
	
		PCT recurrent revenue allocations 200607 to 200708
		
			  200607 allocation 200708 allocation Two year increase 
			 PCT  thousand  thousand  thousand Percentage 
		
		
			 Ashton, Leigh and Wigan 410,731 449,115 73,829 19.7 
			 Bolton 355,301 388,481 63,832 19.7 
			 Bury 226,689 247,864 40,737 19.7 
			 Central Manchester 269,581 298,924 62,522 26.4 
			 Heywood and Middleton 102,997 113,338 19,257 20.5 
			 North Manchester 256,356 283,377 50,443 21.7 
			 Oldham 304,145 332,588 54,725 19.7 
			 Rochdale 185,706 202,989 33,262 19.6 
			 Salford 346,814 374,615 54,766 17.1 
			 South Manchester 210,058 233,129 51,324 28.2 
			 Stockport 349,861 379,343 55,872 17.3 
			 Tameside and Glossop 308,593 337,310 55,272 19.6 
			 Trafford North 123,843 135,581 22,116 19.5 
			 Trafford South 151,599 163,955 23,770 17.0

Health and Safety (NHS Trusts)

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the progress made in implementing the recommendations of the Committee of Public Accounts 42nd Report of 200203, HC 704, on the management of health and safety risks to staff in NHS trusts.

Liam Byrne: NHS Employers now has the remit to advise and share good practice on health and safety with national health service organisations.
	The development of an occupational health and safety strategy for the NHS in England is being undertaken by the health care health and safety sub-group of the NHS Staff Council. They will take account of recent developments, including the establishment of NHS Employers, the cross-Government ministerial taskforce on health and safety and productivity, the Department for Work and Pensions' health, work and well-being strategy and NHS reforms, all of which will impact on the delivery of a safer, healthier workplace.
	NHS Employers issued updated guidance on needle sticks in January 2005. NHS Employers is also currently facilitating the collection of up-to-date data from NHS organisations on the use of safer needles and the implementation of the latest guidance. The guidance will be further updated with the assistance of the safer needles network and new guidance is due to be re-issued through their website in May.
	The NHS Pensions Agency is working with NHS Employers on the review of NHS ill health retirement and of NHS injury benefits. The review will consider options including support to facilitate better rehabilitation into work for staff who request ill health retirements due to work-related injuries and proper controls over the extent of payments.
	NHS Employers and the Health and Safety Executive will promote new health and safety e-learning materials from the NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement, which are to be released to the NHS in April. These materials provide the basis of health and safety induction and support the hands on training that is already being offered by NHS trusts. The 2005 Healthcare Commission staff survey shows the number of staff receiving training on health and safety has increased to 71 per cent. compared with 60 per cent. in 2003.
	New guidance to NHS trusts on their responsibility for the management of health and safety for agency staff and contractors was issued in January 2005. The guidance is available at www.nhsemployers.org/practice/healthy-workplaces.cfm

Safer Recruitment

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps her Department takes to identify individuals (a) employed and (b) seeking employment in the health care profession who might pose a risk to the patients they care for.

Liam Byrne: The responsibility for carrying out pre and post-employment checks, including Criminal Records Bureau, Protection of Children's Act and Protection of Vulnerable Adults checks where applicable, rests with the relevant employer, whether a national health service organisation or other regulated provider of health care. The NHS is required to follow the guidance, Safer Recruitment issued in May 2005 which covers all the pre and post-appointment checks that NHS employers are required to make before appointing anyoneincluding employees, volunteers, students and traineesto a position in the NHS.

Health Expenditure

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what level of expenditure will be committed to support (a) the improvements in renal care announced on 15 October, (b) the provision of more scanning facilities announced on 11 October and (c) the improvements to prostate cancer awareness announced on 31 October by the Minister of State for Health Services; how much expenditure there has been on each programme; and whether the expenditure is financed from the centrally funded initiatives and services and special allocations budget of her Department in each case.

Rosie Winterton: There were no announcements on improvements in renal care on 15 October 2005, although renal patientview was launched at a national renal symposium at Conway Hall, London on 19 October 2005. The event was organised by the South West Thames renal and transplantation unit and the South West Thames institute for renal research, both based at St. Helier hospital in Carshalton where the Department gave 55,000 to the project.
	The funding of 100,000 announced on 31 October 2005 will be issued shortly.
	The national framework for the development of positron emission tomography (PET) Services in England was published in October 2005 to support the development of PET-CT services and ensure equitable access for patients. The additional 20 million capital funding has been made available over the next two years (200608) to support the national health service in improving access and developing this service. The funding for 200607 has been issued to strategic health authorities. In addition, a further 25,000 scans per year will be made available from the independent sector, via the wave two diagnostic procurement programme, over the next five years to support the NHS.

Health Professionals

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of (a) nurses, (b) midwives, (c) physiotherapists, (d) podiatrists, (e) radiographers, (f) doctors, (g) dentists and (h) members of professions complementary to dentistry from EU accession states (i) in training and (ii) practising in England since 1 May 2004.

Liam Byrne: Information on the number of nurses, midwives, physiotherapists, podiatrists, radiographers and members of professions complementary to dentistry from former European Union accession states is not collected centrally.
	Table one shows the number of doctors by specified country of primary medical qualification as included in the national health service census of September 2004.
	
		Table 1: Number of doctors by country of qualificationEngland
		
			  All doctors (headcount) 
		
		
			 All specified countries 638 
			 Cyprus  
			 Czech Republic 160 
			 Estonia 3 
			 Hungary 107 
			 Latvia 13 
			 Lithuania 8 
			 Malta 106 
			 Poland 214 
			 Slovakia 21 
			 Slovenia 6 
		
	
	Information on the nationality of dentists is not available. Country of qualification is the only indicator that can be used for providing breakdowns of dentists by country. Country of qualification is not available for dentists in training therefore no country breakdown is available for such dentists.
	Table two shows the number of dentists by country of qualification for the relevant countries in England, as at 30 September each year.
	
		Table 2: Number of dentists by country of qualification
		
			  2004 2005 
		
		
			 Czech Republic 1 7 
			 Cyprus 0 0 
			 Estonia 1 0 
			 Hungary 3 0 
			 Latvia 0 6 
			 Lithuania 1 0 
			 Malta 2 6 
			 Poland 5 341 
			 Slovakia 0 0 
			 Slovenia 0 0

Health Services

Ann Keen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients waited more than 17 weeks for an out-patient appointment in the constituency of Brentford and Isleworth in the last period for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Latest published information shows no patients waited more than 13 weeks for an out-patient appointment in the North West London Strategic Health Authority area where the constituency is based.

Health Services

Ann Keen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are waiting for operations in the constituency of Brentford and Isleworth; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Waiting list data are collected at national health service trust and primary care trust (PCT) level. At the end of January 2006, there were 3,082 patients from Hounslow PCT waiting for elective admission.

Health Services

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she expects (a) NHS staff to be made redundant, (b) NHS appointments to be cancelled and (c) bed closures in Gloucestershire as a result of budget deficits; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: Strategic health authorities (SHAs) are responsible for assessing and managing performance of local national health service organisations within their geographical area. Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire SHA has advised that all NHS organisations in their region are taking action to reduce expenditure in all areas that will not directly impact on issues of clinical safety. They are also exploring ways of providing NHS services locally so that they are more efficient and cost-effective.

Health Services

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the likely cost of redundancies in (a) Shropshire and Staffordshire strategic health authority and (b) primary care trusts within Shropshire and Staffordshire strategic health authority as a result of planned hospital mergers.

Rosie Winterton: There are currently no definite proposals for hospital trust mergers in the Shropshire and Staffordshire strategic health authority (SHA) area.
	With respect to the proposed reconfiguration of SHAs and primary care trusts and associated redundancies, until any boundary changes are agreed it is not possible to calculate the number of job losses in any particular area nor any associated costs of redundancies. SHAs have been asked to minimise the cost of severance.

Health Services

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the financial position of each hospital in the Shropshire and Staffordshire strategic health authority area.

Rosie Winterton: The financial position, according to the unaudited month six forecast, for each national health service trust in the Shropshire and Staffordshire strategic health authority economy is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Organisation name 200506 full year forecast outturn surplus/(deficit) as at month six (000) 
		
		
			 Burton Hospitals NHS Trust (1,200) 
			 Mid Staffordshire General Hospitals NHS Trust 0 
			 North Staffs Combined HC NHS Trust 0 
			 Rob Jones and A Hunt Orthopaedic NHS Trust 0 
			 Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust (10,000) 
			 South Staffordshire Healthcare NHS Trust 0 
			 University Hospital of North Staffordshire Hospital NHS Trust (18,147)

Health Trainers

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how long she estimates it will take to train a health trainer; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The employment requirements are that health trainers satisfy the mandatory core competences supplied by the Department. The core competences have been finalised during the early adopter phase which finishes 31 March 2006.
	The scheme and training is organised locally through primary care trusts and, as such, varies from area to area. There are approximately 200 national health service health trainers recruited to the programme currently undergoing training.

Heart Disease/Diabetes

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1) what the average rate of (a) heart disease and (b) diabetes was among people of South Asian origin in the latest period for which figures are available; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps her Department is taking to reduce the rates of (a) diabetes and (b) heart disease in people of South Asian origin; and if she will make a statement;
	(3)  what (a) funding and (b) other support she plans to provide to primary care trusts to reduce the rates of (A) heart disease and (B) diabetes among people of South Asian origin in the next three financial years.

Rosie Winterton: These data are not held centrally. However, non-departmental data suggest that United Kingdom Asians have an approximately 50 percent. higher risk of coronary heart disease 1 , with 20 per cent. diagnosed with type 2 diabetes compared to 3 per cent. of the general population 2 . South Asian men and women are more likely than the general population to have abdominal obesity (shown by a large waist circumference), which has been identified as a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes3, 4, 5.
	There is a raft of cross-Government public health measures to help prevent obesity which is a major cause of type 2 diabetes. Our White Paper, Choosing Health, sets out a range of actions to improve health and tackle the health inequalities that can lead to poor diet and ill health. Reducing obesity is one of our key priorities and work under way includes a new cross-Government obesity campaign and food labelling to help people buy healthier food and further work with industry to reduce salt, fat, sugar and portion sizes.
	The White Paper, Our Health, Our Care, Our Say, sets out a new direction for health and social care services and we are reorganising health and social care services to focus together on prevention and health promotion. For 2008, primary care trust (PCT) local delivery plans will have to include a clear strategy for the development of preventative services, including tackling health inequalities across socio-economic and ethnic minority groups requiring targeted, innovative and culturally sensitive responses.
	The White Paper also includes details of the self-assessment, Life Check, which everyone will have at key points in life. This will support individuals and communities at high risk of developing diabetes to get involved in more healthy lifestyles and environments. If the results show that a person is at risk of poor health, they will be able to talk to a health trainer about the help available from local services, specialist services, referral for further medical advice and develop a personal health plan.
	A Healthy Living digital versatile disc (DVD) was launched recently to help raise awareness of and address potential inequalities in the identification and treatment of people from the Asian population with diabetes. The collaboration, backed by the Department, Diabetes UK and South Warwickshire PCT, aims to raise awareness of the growing incidence of cardiovascular disease and diabetes among the Asian population and illustrate how small changes to diet and lifestyle can have a big impact on diabetes.
	1 Petersen S, Peto V, Scarborough P, Rayner M, editors. Coronary Heart Disease Statistics2005 edition. British Heart Foundation Health Promotion Research Group (fact sheet on the internet). Oxford c2005. (cited 3 February 2006). Available from: http://www.heartstats.org/temp/CHD_2005_Whote_spdocument.pdf
	2 Existing Clinical Indicators. Diabetes UK (GMS response on the internet). London c2005. (cited 3 February 2006). Available at: http://www.diabetes.org.uk/infocentre/state/GMS__response.doc
	3 Patel S, Bhopal R, Unwin N, White M, Alberti KGMM, Yallop J. Mismatch between perceived and actual overweight in diabetic and non-diabetic populations: a comparative study of South Asian and European women. J Epidemiol Community Health. 2001; 55;332333.
	4 Rexrode KM, Carey VJ, Hennekens CH, Walters EE, Colditz GA, Stampfer MJ et al. Abdominal adiposity and coronary heart disease in women. JAMA. 1998; 280:18438.
	5 Wang Y, Rimm EB, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC, Hu FB. Comparison of abdominal adiposity and overall obesity in predicting risk of type 2 diabetes among men. Am J Clin Nutr; 81:55563.

Herceptin

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria her Department uses to determine whether primary care trusts should prescribe Herceptin for early stage breast cancer.

Rosie Winterton: It is for individual clinicians to decide whether it is suitable to prescribe Herceptin for early breast cancer. Primary care trusts (PCTs) may have to be involved to decide whether to support the clinician's decision and supply the drug at national health service expense.
	The National Cancer Research Institute has produced a United Kingdom clinical guideline on the use of Herceptin for early breast cancer. This provides useful information to those considering prescribing Herceptin for this indication in advance of a decision on licensing and the publication of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance. PCTs have been alerted to the availability of these guidelines.
	Decisions on funding Herceptin for early stage breast cancer are a matter for local determination within the following parameters set by the Secretary of State for Health:
	PCTs should not refuse to fund Herceptin solely on the grounds of its cost; and
	PCTs should not rule out treatments on principle but consider individual circumstances.

Herceptin

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which primary care trusts are making Herceptin available for early stage breast cancer.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not collected centrally.

Herceptin

Philip Dunne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients who participated in the HERA Herceptin adjuvant trial are receiving Herceptin on the NHS.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not collected centrally.

Hillingdon Primacy Care Trust

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time for a hip replacement was in (a) Hillingdon primary care trust and (b) England in each of the last five years.

Jane Kennedy: Waiting time data are collected at speciality level, for example trauma and orthopaedics, and it is not possible to split this data down to show waiting list data for specific operations, for example, hip replacement operations. Median waiting time data for the trauma and orthopaedics speciality for Hillingdon primary care trust (PCT) and England is shown in the table. These data were collected from the first quarter of 200203.
	
		
			  Median waiting time within: 
			  Hillingdon PCT England 
		
		
			 200203   
			 Q1 16.98 17.67 
			 Q2 10.94 17.66 
			 Q3 12.47 16.98 
			 Q4 12.43 15.63 
			 200304   
			 Q1 12.78 15.85 
			 Q2 11.25 15.25 
			 Q3 10.44 14.31 
			 Q4 11.18 12.55 
			 200405   
			 Q1 11.01 12.89 
			 Q2 9.01 12.59 
			 Q3 10.46 12.20 
			 Q4 10.43 11.34 
			 200506   
			 Q1 9.58 10.79 
			 Q2 9.19 10.31 
			 Q3 8.48 9.36 
		
	
	Source:
	QF01Commissioner Based Waiting Time Data.

Hospices

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent representations she has received from adult and childrens' hospices on funding; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Ministers in the Department have recently met with a number of commissioners and providers of palliative care for adults and children to discuss a range of issues affecting provision of palliative care, including funding. These have included a meeting on 9 February with representatives of the children's hospice movement and other interested parties and on 7 March a meeting with the all party parliamentary group on hospices and palliative care.
	Primary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible within the national health service for commissioning and funding services for their resident population, including palliative care. It is for PCTs to determine how to use the funding allocated to them to commission services to meet the healthcare needs of their local populations. PCTs having assessed their local priorities, can invest more. This investment should be in line with local strategic plans.

Hospices

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had regarding the inclusion of hospice care within the payment by results system; when these discussions took place; what the content of these discussions was; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Work to develop healthcare resource groups for specialist palliative care, which will inform the implementation of payment by results, is ongoing. Part of this work will include consideration of the funding implications of introducing payment by results in specialist palliative care.

Hospitals (Mobile Telephones)

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what type of machines in hospitals are affected by mobile telephone signals.

Jane Kennedy: The use of mobile phones and other communication equipment in close proximity to certain electrically sensitive medical equipment is not advised, as the consequences of disrupting such equipment may cause direct harm to patients.
	The types of equipment that may be affected by electromagnetic interference from mobile phones include infusion pumps, electrocardiogram (ECG) monitors, anaesthetic machines, pulse oximeters, and defibrillators. The use of these medical devices is widespread throughout healthcare organisations in the United Kingdom and the number in use at any time will be high, but difficult to estimate precisely.
	The effects of this interference may range from stopping the equipment working when a mobile phone is in close proximity, to interference with displays or alarm circuits in the medical device.
	The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) published a detailed study on the effects of mobile phones and other communication equipment on a range of medical devices in their device bulletin, Electromagnetic Compatibility of Medical Devices with Mobile Communications, in March 1997 (Medical Devices Agency at that time).
	Further advice on mobile phones and other communication equipment and their effects on medical devices is available on the MHRA's website at www.mhra.gov.uk.

Immunisation

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her answer of 14 March 2006, Official Report, columns 219495W, on immunisation, if she will place in the Library a copy of the analysis referred to in her answer.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 30 March 2006
	The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Independent Complaints Advocacy Service

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effect on the Independent Complaints Advocacy Service of the decision to end the Citizen's Advice Bureau's contract.

Rosie Winterton: Following a rigorous procurement exercise, the Department has awarded contracts to three organisations who will deliver a new and improved independent complaints advocacy service (ICAS) from 1 April 2006 across England. Those successful organisations submitted tenders that more closely matched the Department's requirements under the new contract specification than the tender submitted by the Citizen's Advice Bureau. All of the successful organisations have been delivering ICAS under contract to the Department since 1 September 2003, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise in general and specialist advocacy service delivery and the Department is confident that this new and improved service will be successfully delivered.
	The Citizen's Advice Bureau is working closely with the new providers in order to ensure a smooth transition for clients. Detailed transition plans have been drawn up, the implementation of which is being monitored by Departmental officials.

Independent Sector Treatment Centre

John Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what powers she has to compel the Southampton City primary care trust to commission operations from the proposed Southampton Independent Sector Treatment Centre.

Caroline Flint: The Secretary of State has power to give directions to primary care trusts (PCTs) about their exercise of any functions. Their functions include that of providing medical services under the National Health Service Act 1977, and arranging with any person or body for that person or body to provide, or assist in providing, such services. The Secretary of State has not, however, used these powers to compel any PCT to procure services from independent sector treatment centres.

Infant Mortality

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to reduce the incidence of infant mortality in the Greater Peterborough area; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The responsibility for local health services now lies with the local national health service and it is for primary care trusts in conjunction with strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders to plan and develop services to meet the needs of their local populations.
	The Department has an infant mortality target of a 10 per cent., reduction in the relative gap between routine and manual socio-economic groups and England as a whole from a baseline year of 1998 (the average of 199799) to the target year of 2010.
	The Department has a number of initiatives aimed at tackling this gap in infant mortality. These include reducing maternal smoking as it is a risk factor for infant mortality, improving breastfeeding rates through a range of initiatives aimed at new and disadvantaged mothers, and improving neonatal services countrywide. In addition, the Department aims to reduce teenage pregnancy rates, since babies of teenage mothers have a 60 per cent., higher infant mortality rate than other age groups, and offer disadvantaged families greater access to healthy foods through the healthy start scheme.
	These initiatives are expected to reduce the infant mortality level nationally, including the Greater Peterborough area.

Influenza

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 31 January 2006, Official Report, column 464W, on influenza, what additional production capacity of influenza vaccines will the tenders give rise to in the UK; and over what time scale.

Caroline Flint: The proposal to purchase in advance the capacity needed to make pandemic flu vaccine will make sure that an effective vaccine is available for use in the United Kingdom as quickly as possible after a 'flu pandemic starts. We would envisage that such contracts will provide manufacturers with incentive to expand production capacity.
	It will not be possible to give a precise indication of production capabilities for pandemic vaccine until the pandemic virus emerges.

Intensive Broiler Poultry Farming

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has collated on the possible health effects arising from air pollution caused by intensive broiler poulty farming.

Caroline Flint: The Department have not collated any information on the possible health effects arising form potential air pollution caused by intensive broiler poultry farming.

London Hospitals

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff redundancies there have been in each London hospital in each of the last five years.

Jane Kennedy: This information is not collected centrally.

London Hospitals

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many wards have closed in each London hospital in each of the last five years.

Jane Kennedy: This information is not collected centrally.

Macfarlane Trust

Nicholas Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much has been paid out by the Macfarlane Trust since 1988; and what proportion of the Trust's total assets such payments comprise;
	(2)  how many haemophiliacs infected with HIV as a result of NHS blood transfusions have received payments from the Macfarlane Trust in each year since its inception in 1988; and what assessment she has made of the efficacy of the Macfarlane Trust in providing financial support in such cases;
	(3)  how many haemophiliacs infected with HIV are currently receiving payments from the Macfarlane Trust; and if she will make a statement;
	(4)  if she will make a statement on the future of the Macfarlane Trust.

Caroline Flint: The Macfarlane Trust was created in March 1988. The number of haemophiliacs infected with HIV as a result of national health service blood transfusions who have received payments from the Macfarlane Trust in each year since the trust's inception is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Year to 31 March Number of registrants 
		
		
			 1989 700 
			 1990 674 
			 1991 (58)970 
			 1992 947 
			 1993 905 
			 1994 850 
			 1995 767 
			 1996 731 
			 1997 660 
			 1998 651 
			 1999 642 
			 2000 579 
			 2001 422 
			 2002 411 
			 2003 401 
			 2004 396 
			 2005 380 
		
	
	(58)Reflects increased registrations
	From its creation in March 1988 until 31 March 2005, the Macfarlane Trust paid out 38,740,399 to haemophiliacs with HIV, infected intimates and infected widows, non-infected widows, dependants, etc. Comparisons with the trust's total assets would not be meaningful, since the Department provides additional funding to the trust, as needed.
	368 haemophiliacs infected with HIV are currently receiving payments from the Macfarlane Trust.

Maternity Services

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of whether payment by results has had an impact on the number of (a) home births and (b) caesarean section; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: No assessment has yet been made on the impact of payment by results on the number of home births and caesarian sections.

Mental Health

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the ratio of patients aged over 80 to staff in mental health care settings in each hospital in England.

Liam Byrne: An estimate of the ratio of patients aged over 80 to staff in mental health care settings in each hospital in England has not been made.

Mental Health

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has to increase partnership working between mental health trusts and drug and alcohol services.

Rosie Winterton: We are committed to modernising mental health services, and one of our national priorities is to ensure that people with severe and enduring mental illness, including those with mental illness and substance misuse illnessdual diagnosisreceive more responsive and appropriate services.
	Many mental health trusts have existing partnership working with drug and alcohol services through in-house specialist substance misuse services. In addition, the mental health dual diagnosis good practice policy implementation guide recommends suitable arrangements for developing partnership services for adults with severe mental illness and substance misuse problems.
	We are also promoting increased partnership working between the national health service and drug and alcohol services by responding to the advisory council on misuse of drugs (ACMD) report, published in January by the Home Office. The Department, in partnership with the Home Office, the Department for Education and Skills, the National Treatment Agency and the National Institute for Mental Health in England is supporting a number of activities which respond to the ACMD findings, including publishing research briefings for professionals and reviewing current dual diagnosis treatment interventions to inform future partnership working policy.

Mental Health

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many individuals suffering from depression attempted suicide in each of the last 10 years for which information is available.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not available.

Mental Health

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department has undertaken into schizophrenia in each of the last 10 years; if she will place the research in the Library; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The main agency through which the Government supports medical and clinical research is the Medical Research Council (MRC). The MRC is an independent body funded by the Department of Trade and Industry via the Office of Science and Technology.
	The MRC supports a large portfolio of research related to mental health disorders. Much of this research will be relevant to schizophrenia. A list of MRC-funded schizophrenia research projects has been placed in the Library.
	The Department also funds research programmes that support policy and which provide underpinning evidence for quality improvement and service development in the national health service. Of these, the health technology assessment programme has over the last 10 years supported six projects concerned with schizophrenia. Five of these projects have been published and are available online as follows:
	1. Depot antipsychotic medication in the treatment of patients with schizophrenia: (1) Meta-review; (2) Patient and nurse attitude (David) 69 pages, volume 5, number 34 www.hta.ac.uk/project.asp?PjtId=1028.
	2. A systematic review of atypical antipsychotic drugs in schizophrenia (Bagnall) 204 pages, volume 7, number 13 www.hta.ac.uk/project.asp?PjtId=1235.
	3. Clinical and cost-effectiveness of electroconvulsive therapy for depressive illness, schizophrenia, catatonia and mania; systematic reviews and economic modelling studies (Greenhalgh) 170 pages, volume 9, number 9 www.hta.ac.uk/project.asp?PjtId=1295.
	4. Long-term outcome of cognitive behaviour therapy clinical trials in central Scotland (Durham) 174 pages, volume 9, number 42 www.hta.ac.uk/project.asp?PjtId=1081.
	5. Systematic reviews of the effectiveness of day care for people with severe mental disorders: (1) Acute day hospital versus admission; (2) Vocational rehabilitation; (3) Day hospital versus outpatient care (Marshall) 75 pages, volume 5, number 21 www.hta.ac.uk/project.asp?PjtId=1018.
	6. Cost utility of the latest antipsychotics in severe schizophrenia (CUtLASS): a multi-centre, randomised, controlled trial (Project not yet publishedpublication due date May 2006).
	More than 75 per cent. of the Department's own expenditure on health research is devolved to and managed by NHS organisations. Details of individual projects, including a large number concerned with schizophrenia, can be found on the national research register on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/research.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patient episodes took place in each mental health trust in (a) 200506, (b) 200405 and (c) 200304.

Rosie Winterton: Information on the number of admissions under mental illness specialties in each national health service trust in 200304 and 200405 has been placed in the Library. This information is not yet available for the current financial year.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) crisis resolution, (b) early intervention and (c) assertive outreach teams are operating from each mental health trust.

Rosie Winterton: The latest data available are at March 2005.
	The number of assertive outreach, early intervention and crisis resolution teams in England at 31 March 2005 by mental health trust are shown in the table. All primary care trusts that provide mental health services are included in the table.
	
		Mental health service: Number of assertive outreach, early intervention and crisis resolution teams in England by mental health providers at March 2005
		
			 Trusts Number of assertive outreach teams Number of early intervention teams Number of crisis resolution teams 
		
		
			 England 262 109 343 
			 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust 5 3 7 
			 Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 9 2 9 
			 Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust 5  7 
			 Barnsley PCT 1 1 2 
			 Bedfordshire and Luton Community NHS Trust 2 2 2 
			 Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust 6 6 6 
			 Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Trust 8 4 10.5 
			 Bolton, Salford and Trafford Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 3 1 6 
			 Bradford District Care Trust 2  4 
			 Buckinghamshire Mental Health NHS Trust 2 1 2 
			 Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 4 1 1 
			 Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust 2 1 4 
			 Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust 5 1 8 
			 Cheshire and Wirral Partnerships NHS Trust 4 4 7 
			 Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust 3 1 2 
			 County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust 5 1 4 
			 Coventry PCT 1 1 2 
			 Craven, Harrogate and Rural District PCT 1 1 1 
			 Derbyshire Mental Health Services NHS Trust 3 1 6 
			 Devon Partnership NHS Trust 4 3 6 
			 Doncaster and South Humber Healthcare NHS Trust 4 3 6 
			 Dorset Health Care NHS Trust 2 1 3 
			 Dudley, Beacon and Castle PCT 1 1 2 
			 East Kent Community NHS Trust 5  4 
			 East London and The City Mental Health NHS Trust 6 3 10 
			 East Sussex County Healthcare NHS Trust 2  3 
			 Gloucestershire Partnerships NHS Trust 2 1 3 
			 Hambleton and Richmondshire PCT 1 1 1 
			 Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust 6  6 
			 Herefordshire PCT 2  1 
			 Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Trust 6  6 
			 Hillingdon PCT 1  1 
			 Hull and East Riding Community Health NHS Trust 2 1 4 
			 Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Trust 1  1 
			 Lancashire Care NHS Trust 6 1 9 
			 Leeds Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust 2  6 
			 Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust 4 1 5.5 
			 Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Trust 4 1 4 
			 Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust   5 
			 Mersey Care NHS Trust 3 3 6 
			 Milton Keynes PCT 1  1 
			 Morecambe Bay PCT 3  3 
			 Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland Mental Health NHS Trust 3 2 6 
			 Norfolk Mental Health Care NHS Trust 3 2 5 
			 North Cumbria Mental Health and Learning Disabilities NHS Trust 2 1 4 
			 North Dorset PCT 5 1 1 
			 North East London Mental Health NHS Trust 4 1 6 
			 North Essex Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 3 1 6 
			 North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare NHS Trust 2 2 3 
			 North Warwickshire PCT 2 1 2 
			 North West Surrey Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 1  2 
			 Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust 2  3.5 
			 Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust 6 4 7 
			 Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare NHS Trust 2  3 
			 Oxleas NHS Trust 3  5 
			 Pennine Care NHS Trust 5 4 9 
			 Plymouth PCT 1 1 2 
			 Portsmouth City PCT 1  1 
			 Sandwell Mental Health NHS and Social Care Trust 1 1 2.5 
			 Selby and York PCT 1 1 1 
			 Sheffield Care Trust 2 4 4 
			 Shropshire County PCT 2 1 2 
			 Somerset Partnership NHS and Social Care Trust 4 1 2 
			 South Downs Health NHS Trust 1 1 2 
			 South Essex Partnership NHS Trust 3 1 5 
			 South London and Maudsley NHS Trust 11 4 11 
			 South of Tyne and Wearside Mental Health NHS Trust 5 1 5 
			 South Staffordshire Healthcare NHS Trust 2 1 4 
			 South Warwickshire PCT 1 1 2 
			 South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust 5 1 8 
			 South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust 5  7 
			 Suffolk Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 3  2 
			 Surrey Hampshire Borders NHS Trust 1  2 
			 Surrey Oaklands NHS Trust 2 2 2 
			 Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust 6 5 6 
			 Walsall PCT 1 1 2 
			 West Kent NHS and Social Care Trust 7 1 5 
			 West London Mental Health NHS Trust 4 2 6 
			 West Norfolk PCT 1 1 1 
			 West Sussex Health and Social Care NHS Trust 3 1 4 
			 Wolverhampton City PCT 1  2 
			 Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 2 1 3 
			 Unallocated 4 5  
		
	
	 denote no teams in place
	Source:
	Durham mapping exercise

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the expenditure by each mental health trust on agency staff in the 200506 financial year.

Rosie Winterton: No estimate has been made. Actual expenditure in 200405 on all agency staff costs by each national health service trust providing health and social care services for people with mental health problems is shown in the table.
	
		
			 NHS mental health services provider trust Agency staff costs 200405 (000) 
		
		
			 NE London Mental Health NHS Trust 12,699 
			 South Downs Health NHS Trust 3,011 
			 Dorset Healthcare NHS Trust 2,959 
			 Somerset Partnership NHS and Social Care Trust 2,685 
			 Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust 7,493 
			 Oxford Learning Disability NHS Trust 1,440 
			 Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust 1,533 
			 West London Mental Health NHS Trust 6,877 
			 North Staffs Combined Healthcare NHS Trust 1,643 
			 Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 3,325 
			 Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust 488 
			 Nth Cumbria MH and Learning Disability NHS Trust 808 
			 Newcastle, N Tyneside and Northumberland Mental Health NHS Trust 3,563 
			 Oxfordshire Mental Healthcare NHS Trust 596 
			 Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Trust 2,990 
			 Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Trust 2,409 
			 Oxleas NHS Trust 3,835 
			 SW London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust 22,301 
			 Isle of Wight Healthcare NHS Trust 845 
			 N Essex MH Partnership NHS Trust 11,501 
			 South Staffs Healthcare NHS Trust 1,613 
			 Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust 7,450 
			 Cambs and Peterborough Mental Health Partnership Trust 4,159 
			 Pennine Care NHS Trust 5,243 
			 Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust 4,105 
			 Suffolk MH Partnership NHS Trust 2,148 
			 County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust 1,929 
			 East Kent NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust 1,933 
			 Gloucestershire Partnership NHS Trust 2,049 
			 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Trust 3,022 
			 Central and North West London MH NHS Trust 8,306 
			 South London and Maudsley NHS Trust 19,051 
			 Bedfordshire and Luton Mental Health and Social Care NHS Trust 2,332 
			 Humber Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust 3,591 
			 Avon and Wiltshire MHP NHS Trust 5,973 
			 Tees and North East Yorkshire NHS Trust 1,882 
			 Hampshire Partnership NHS Trust 4,684 
			 Mersey Care NHS Trust 8,095 
			 Lancashire Care NHS Trust 5,013 
			 West Sussex Health and Social Care NHS Trust 4,838 
			 South of Tyne and Wearside Mental Health NHS Trust 1,402 
			 East London and The City Mental Health NHS Trust 7,122 
			 South Essex Partnership NHS Trust 2,549 
			 Worcestershire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust 312 
			 Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Trust 6,083 
			 Buckinghamshire Mental Health NHS Trust 627 
			 Devon Partnership NHS Trust 4,247 
			 Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust 5,517 
			 Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Trust 3,080 
			 East Sussex County Healthcare NHS Trust 2,484 
			 Doncaster and South Humber Healthcare NHS Trust 1,603 
			 South West Yorkshire Mental Health NHS Trust 4,120 
			 West Kent NHS and Social Care Trust 4,284 
			 Derbyshire Mental Health Services NHS Trust 4,480 
			 Birmingham and Solihull Mental Health NHS Trust 4,328 
			 Bolton Salford and Trafford Mental Health NHS Trust 3,998 
			 Bradford District Care Trust 4,856 
			 Manchester Mental Health and Social Care Trust 1,994 
			 Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust 3,787 
			 Sheffield Care Trust 3,962 
			 Sandwell Mental Health NHS and Social Care Trust 258 
			 Barnsley PCT 1,242 
			 Coventry Teaching PCT 5,546 
			 Craven, Harrogate and Rural District PCT 306 
			 Dudley Beacon and Castle PCT 1,615 
			 Hambleton and Richmondshire PCT 189 
			 Herefordshire PCT 1,823 
			 Hillingdon PCT 2,549 
			 Leeds Mental Health Teaching NHS Trust 5,268 
			 Milton Keynes PCT 1,214 
			 Morecambe Bay PCT 1,620 
			 North Dorset PCT 967 
			 North Warwickshire PCT 2,794 
			 Plymouth Teaching PCT 1,668 
			 Portsmouth City Teaching PCT 2,236 
			 Selby and York PCT 338 
			 Shropshire County PCT 2,103 
			 South Warwickshire PCT 3,033 
			 Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Trust 1,708 
			 Walsall Teaching PCT 1,559 
			 West Norfolk PCT 197 
			 Wolverhampton City PCT 2,694 
		
	
	Source:
	Annual Financial Returns of NHS Trusts and Annual Financial Returns of Primary Care Trusts.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the average waiting time for patients referred for (a) psychotherapy and (b) cognitive behavioural therapy was in the last period for which figures are available;
	(2)  what the longest time is that a patient has waited for (a) psychotherapy and (b) cognitive behavioural therapy in each mental health trust in the last 12 months;
	(3)  how many patients waited longer than (a) six months and (b) 12 months for (i) psychotherapy and (ii)cognitive behavioural therapy in each mental health trust in the last 12 months;
	(4)  what the waiting time is for (a) psychotherapy and (b) cognitive behavioural therapy in each mental health trust.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not routinely collect information on waiting times for appointments for treatments such as psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy. Data are collected only for consultant-led services, but not when services have been provided by other mental health practitioners.
	Information is available for estimated average waiting times from general practitioner written referral to first outpatient appointment with a psychiatric consultant in each mental health provider trust in each of the last five years and has been placed in the Library. The data are broken down into categories of provider trust, strategic health authority and Government office region where possible.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the medical vacancy rate is in each mental health trust; and how many consultant vacancies there are in each mental health trust.

Rosie Winterton: Information on the three-month vacancy rate and the number of consultant vacancies in each mental health trust is available in the Library.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the mental health trusts which are operating restrictions on recruitment.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not prescribe recruitment policies for trusts. These are decided locally, so this information is not collected centrally.

Mental Health

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans her Department has for reforming the process of treatment of mental illness in prisons; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Prison Health, a joint Home Office and Department of Health unit, has been working since 2000 to improve health care provision for prisoners. It has led and managed a work programme to modernise services, step up national health service engagement and improve performance monitoring. The responsibility for commissioning health services, including mental health services, in the publicly run prisons will have fully transferred from the Prison Service to NHS primary care trusts by April 2006.
	Mental health services for prisoners have been a key part of these reforms. The Department is investing nearly 20 million a year in NHS mental health in-reach services for prisoners. These are community mental health teams working within prisons and are now available in 102 prisons, with some 360 extra staff employed. By the spring, every prison in England and Wales will have access to these services.
	The Department of Health and the Home Office produced joint guidance in November 2005 to help facilitate quicker transfers to hospital for people whose mental health difficulties mean they are too ill to remain in prison. This guidance, The transfer of prisoners to and from hospital under sections 47 and 48 of the Mental Health Act (1983), is available on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/12/36/31/04123631.pdf

Mental Health

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department has evaluated concerning the effects on people with mental illnesses of being in prison; and what assessment her Department has made of that research.

Rosie Winterton: There is currently little information about the impact of imprisonment on people with mental health problems. In 2003, a small focus group study 1 looked at the influence of environmental factors on mental health within prisons.
	The national forensic mental health research and development programme is currently funding two research projects; one on factors mediating the effect of prison on mental health, and another on the effect of prison on mental health in young offenders institutions in the North West region. Both are due for completion in summer 2008. Further details are available on the programme's website at www.nfmhp.org.uk.
	Source:
	1 Nurse, 1., Woodcock, P. and Ormsby, J. (2003) Influence of environmental factors on mental health within prisons: focus group study. BMJ, 327, 480485

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent assessment her Department has made of the length of time it is appropriate for mentally ill patients to be detained without leave to appeal against their detention.

Rosie Winterton: No patient detained under the Mental Health Act is ever detained without a right to seek a review of the lawfulness of their detention. All civil patients have a right to apply to a mental health review tribunal directly, and patients detained for assessment can apply once in the first 14 days of their detention.
	A period of assessment, under normal circumstances, will last no longer than 28 days. Patients who are detained for treatment have a right to apply once every six months in the first year of their detention and once a year thereafter. There is a further safeguard for patients who do not, for whatever reason, exercise their right to apply to the tribunal. For civil patients the safeguard of a referral by the hospital managers is initiated at six months into their detention for treatment. For patients who are subject to a hospital order, or who are transferred from prison to hospital, a first referral is at three years.
	Patients transferred from prison to hospital by the Secretary of State may, if subject to restrictions, apply to the tribunal once in the second six months of their first year of detention and once a year thereafter. If they are transferred without restrictions or if their restrictions expire while in hospital, they may additionally apply to the tribunal within the first six months of their transfer or the expiry of the restrictions.

Mental Health

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she plans to conduct a consultation exercise on her new mental health proposals prior to their publication; and what consideration she has given to those who will be consulted.

Rosie Winterton: We have spent the last seven years consulting on possible changes to the Mental Health Act 1983 and there has been pre-legislative scrutiny. The changes that we are now planning to make to the Mental Health Act 1983 are within the wide range of issues that we have previously consulted on.
	We made a commitment last year to extend consultation for the race equality impact assessment. There are no current plans for other formal consultation exercises.

Mental Health

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many exercise referrals have been prescribed by general practitioners for the treatment of mild to moderate depression in each year since 2001; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not held centrally. The Choosing Health White Paper recognises that regular physical activity reduces the risk of depression and has positive benefits for mental health including reduced anxiety, enhanced mood and self-esteem.

Mental Health

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment her Department has made of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines for advising or prescribing physical activity as partial treatment for mild to moderate depression; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: No assessment has been made of the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidelines on depression for advising or prescribing physical activity as partial treatment for mild to moderate depression. Local national health service bodies should review their policies against NICE guidelines and put in place the services recommended. NICE guidelines state that patients of all ages should be advised of the benefits of following a structured and supervised exercise programme of typically up to three sessions per week of moderate duration (45 minutes to one hour) for between 10 and 12 weeks.

Mental Health

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment her Department has made of the waiting times for (a) NHS counselling services and (b) cognitive behavioural therapy for (i) adults and (ii)children and young people with mild to moderate depression; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what research her Department has undertaken on the extent of regional differences in (a) referrals and (b) waiting lists for (i) cognitive behavioural therapy and (ii) counselling on the NHS for treatment of mild to moderate depression; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Information about waiting times for counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy services is not available in the requested format, because the data are available only for consultant-led services. Since the majority of referrals for psychological therapies are to other mental health professionals, such as to clinical psychologists or psychotherapists, the data do not capture the waiting times for these services accurately.
	In line with our manifesto commitment, we are embarking on a new programme to provide improved services for people with mild to moderate psychological needs, by extending the availability of psychological therapies of proven effectiveness and connecting interventions currently or potentially available in the workplace, in primary care and other community resources.

Mental Health

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding her Department has allocated in 200607 for young people in the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough area with mental health problems.

Rosie Winterton: Revenue allocations are made directly to primary care trusts (PCTs) on the basis of the relative needs of their populations and are determined using a weighted-capitation formula. This is a fair funding formula that directs funding to those areas of greatest need. The mental health needs index in the weighted capitation formula recognises the mental health needs of young people, students, the homeless and refugees.
	On 9 February 2005, PCTs were informed of their revenue allocations up to 200708. The 200607 and 200708 revenue allocations represent 135 billion investment in the national health service, 64 billion to PCTs in 200607 and 70 billion in 200708.
	It is for PCTs to determine how to use the funding allocated to them to commission services to meet the health care needs of their local populations.
	No final decisions have yet been made on what additional funding for child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) PCTs may receive in 200607 from the Department, over and above what they might already decide to dedicate from their baseline allocations.
	Cambridgeshire county council will receive 549,734 and 560,733 in 200607 and 200708 respectively and Peterborough council 292,823 and 298,684 for the development of CAMHS in collaboration with local CAMHS partners which will include their partners in local PCTs.

Mental Health

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans she has for (a) formal consultation, (b) informal consultation and (c) parliamentary scrutiny of the new proposals to amend the Mental Health Act 1983.

Rosie Winterton: We have spent the last seven years consulting on possible changes to the Mental Health Act 1983 and there has been pre-legislative scrutiny. The changes that we are now planning to make to the Mental Health Act 1983 are within the wide range of issues that we have previously consulted on.
	We made a commitment last year to extend consultation for the race equality impact assessment. There are no current plans for other formal consultation exercises.

Mental Health

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the impact of short-term commissioning arrangements for specialist mental health services on recruitment and retention of staff; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: No such assessment has been made by the Department. Through the commissioning arrangements available to them, primary care trusts (PCTs) can secure the full range of mental health services to meet their populations' needs. Unified allocations are given to PCTs for three years to enable them to plan their finances and commission services in a way that will deliver improvements in performance and workforce planning.

Mental Health

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the impact on mental health services of the implementation of payment by results.

Rosie Winterton: Payment by results (PbR) has not yet been introduced for mental health services, and the Department is exploring the feasibility of doing so. We expect to publish a report later this year, outlining our plans for PbR in 200708 and beyond, and this will include an update on our plans for PbR in relation to mental health.

Mental Health

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the number of mental health therapists which will be needed to meet the demand for their services in the next five years; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has made no formal assessment. However, compared to work force levels in 1997 the mental health work force has increased its capacity to provide psychological therapies: since 1997, there are now 75 per cent. more clinical psychologists, 125 per cent. more qualified psychotherapists, 50 per cent. more consultant psychiatrists, 20 per cent. more mental health nurses, and 23 per cent. more art/music/drama therapists.
	We have also created a new role, the graduate primary care mental health worker, trained in brief therapy techniques of proven effectiveness, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), to help general practitioners provide mental health interventions in a range of primary care settings. At the end of March 2005, there were 648 graduate workers employed in the national health service, and this number will increase further when current trainees qualify. All of these professions can provide CBT.

Merlin Biosciences Ltd.

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether she has met (a) Sir Christopher Evans and (b) representatives of Merlin Biosciences Ltd. on official business in the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement.

Liam Byrne: The Secretary of State for Health has not met Sir Christopher Evans or representatives of Merlin Biosciences Ltd. on official business since she took up post in May 2005.
	Between March 2005 and May 2005, the then Secretary of State for Health did not meet with Sir Evans or Merlin Biosciences on official business in his capacity as the Secretary of State for Health.

Mesothelioma

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what clinical guidelines are in place on best practice for diagnosis and management of mesothelioma;
	(2)  if she will make mesothelioma a priority for the National Cancer Director.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has a lung cancer and mesothelioma advisory group which is chaired by the national cancer director. This group has established a mesothelioma working group to ensure that the needs of mesothelioma patients and the services they require are given due consideration.
	The British Thoracic Society has published guidance entitled Statement on malignant mesothelioma in the United Kingdom (Thorax (2001), 56; 250265). There is insufficient evidence at this time for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to be asked to produce evidence-based clinical guidelines on mesothelioma.
	However, the advisory group and its associated mesothelioma working group are developing a framework to provide advice to strategic health authorities, cancer networks, primary care trusts and national health service trusts in England on how best to organise services for mesothelioma patients in order to improve standards of care to a uniformly high level across the country.

Midwifery Vacancies

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 23 January 2006, Official Report, column 1853W to the hon. Member for Stroud (Mr. Drew), on midwifery vacancies, how the information was gathered; and whether NHS trusts which fail to respond to surveys are recorded as having no vacancies.

Liam Byrne: The data are collected by national health service trusts on 31 March each year, on the number of vacancies that trusts are actively trying to fill that have lasted three months or more (full time equivalents).
	The 2005 vacancy survey did not receive a valid return from one trust and it has been excluded from all applicable vacancy totals and calculations. This information is highlighted in the release notes of the vacancy survey.

Morning-after Contraception

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many morning-after pills have been distributed by the St. Albans Primary Care Trust in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: The information available is shown in the following tables. Information on emergency hormonal contraception supplied under a patient group direction (PGD), by school nurses and pharmacists is not held centrally.
	Information for St. Albans and Harpenden Primary Care Trust (PCT) is not available separately. Family planning clinic services for that PCT are provided by West Hertfordshire Hospitals national health service trust, which provides services also for Dacorum PCT and Hertsmere PCT.
	West Hertfordshire took over these services from April 2001 and comparable data prior to this are not available.
	
		Occasions on which hormonal post-coital contraceptives dispensed at family planning clinics provided by West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, 200102 to 200405
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 200102 1,375 
			 200203 1,328 
			 200304 1,253 
			 200405 1,253 
		
	
	Source:
	Information Centre return KT31
	
		Number of items (prescriptions) for hormonal post-coital contraception prescribed by general practitioners for the last four years in St. Albans PCT, January 2002-March 2006
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 200102 (Fourth quarter only) 184 
			 200203 793 
			 200304 813 
			 200405 680 
			 200506 (up to third quarter only) 509 
		
	
	Source:
	ePACT data

National Blood Service

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the National Blood Service uses predictive dialling.

Caroline Flint: The National Blood Service, an operational division on National Health Service Blood and Transplant, uses predictive dialling.

National Physical Laboratory

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions her Department has had with the National Physical Laboratory on the funding of radiotherapy calibrations; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Department has been discussing the transitional arrangements with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) following the withdrawal of the DTI subsidy for the radiotherapy calibration services. The withdrawal of the subsidy means that health users will pay for the services they require in the same way as other users of the measurement services.
	Officials continue to participate in discussions with regard to the future development of NPL's services.

NHS (Complaints Procedure)

Gordon Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had on reforming the (a) arrangements for and (b) approach to dealing with complaints within the NHS.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 28 March 2006
	Following devolution, responsibility for the policy on handling complaints about the National health service in Scotland is the responsibility of the Scottish Executive Health Department.
	With regard to the NHS in England, NHS Complaints ReformMaking Things Right, published on 28 March 2003, set out a programme to improve management of the whole complaints system, elements of which were included in the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003. Between 1 January 2003 and 31 March 2004, the Department undertook a public consultation on a set of draft regulations aimed at taking forward the proposals set out in Making Things Right Following an approach from the solicitor to the Shipman Inquiry, Ministers decided on a phased implementation of the new framework to ensure that the findings of recent public inquiries were included in the longer-term development of a patient centred complaints procedure.
	During 2004 and 2005, workshops were held with a range of key NHS stakeholders, patient oriented organisations, and front line NHS staff to consider what a patient centred complaints procedure might look like and how it would operate.
	Our health, our care, our say, the White Paper published in January 2006, outlined the Government's commitment to develop by 2009 a comprehensive single complaints system across health and social care, that will focus on resolving complaints locally with a more personal and comprehensive approach to handling complaints.
	The merger of the Healthcare Commission and Commission for Social Care Inspection, planned for 2008, provides an opportunity to review the current systems to deal with individual's feedback generally as well as complaints about the services they have received.
	The individual voices for improvement (IVI) project has been set up to design and implement an approach to capture a holistic view of individual's experience of using services and promote the routine use of that experience to inform service improvement. The IVI project is supported by a policy forum, consisting of senior representatives from major stakeholders across health and social care, including the health service and local government ombudsmen and health and social care regulators.

NHS Deficits

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the deficit was in each (a) primary care trust and (b) NHS hospital trust in Suffolk in each of the last four years.

Rosie Winterton: The end-of-year financial position for national health service trusts, primary care trusts and strategic health authorities for the years 200102 to 200405 is available in the Library.
	In addition, the 200506 month six forecast outturn position for individual NHS organisations is also available in the Library.

NHS Deficits

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the financial position is of each (a) primary care trust and (b) NHS hospital trust in Suffolk for 200506; and what financial penalty will be incurred as a result of a deficit.

Rosie Winterton: The 200506 month six forecast outturn position for individual national health service organisations (strategic health authorities (SHA), primary care trusts and NHS trusts) is available on the Department's website at:
	www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/FreedomOfInformation/ClassesOfInformation/fs/en.
	Copies of this information are also available in the Library.
	Any net overspending by the Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire SHA at the end of 200506 will be deducted from the resources available to them in 200607. This is in line with Government resource accounting and budgeting rules on the carry forward of over and under spending. In addition, the net overspend for the SHA will be subject to a penalty of 10 per cent., as part of the scheme developed by the NHS bank to incentivise sound financial management. The SHA has discretion in how the carry forward and penalty are applied to individual organisations.

NHS Expenditure

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what total expenditure has been on the NHS (a) after inflation, (b) after public sector inflation and (c) after NHS inflation in each year since 199798 at constant 200506 prices.

Liam Byrne: The following table shows net national health service expenditure in cash terms and converted into 200506 prices using the gross domestic product (GDP) deflator index.
	The latest available index for NHS specific inflation is 200304 so net NHS expenditure has been converted into 200304 prices.
	An index for public sector inflation is not available.
	The figures are not on a consistent basis over the years, hence comparisons cannot be readily made between some years.
	
		 billion
		
			   Net NHS expenditure(59) Net NHS expenditure 200506 prices adjusted by GDP Net NHS expenditure 200304 prices adjusted by NHS inflation 
		
		
			 Cash(60) 
			 199798 Outturn 34.664 28.825 26.979 
			 199899 Outturn 36.608 31.231 29.603 
			 19992000 Outturn 39.881 34.692 33.737 
			  
			 Resource Budgeting Stage 1(61) 
			 19992000 Outturn 40.201 34.971 34.008 
			 200001 Outturn 43.932 38.716 38.684 
			 200102 Outturn 49.021 44.269 45.221 
			 200203 Outturn 54.042 50.353 51.600 
			  
			 Resource Budgeting Stage 2(62)(5509060063) 
			 200304 Outturn 63.001 60.253 63.001 
			 200405 Estimated outturn 69.706 68.087  
			 200506 Plan 76.387 76.387  
			 200607 Plan 84.324 86.398  
			 200708 Plan 92.643 97.445  
		
	
	(59)Based on the GDP deflator series as at 23 December 2005.
	2Expenditure pre 19992000 is on a cash basis.
	(60)Expenditure figures from 19992000 to 200203 are on a Stage 1 Resource Budgeting basis.
	(61)Expenditure figures from 200304 to 200708 are on a Stage 2 Resource Budgeting basis.
	(62)The Resource Budgeting Stage 2 expenditure figures shown for 200405 to 200708 are consistent with the 2005 Departmental Report and Chief Executive's Report.
	Note:
	NHS inflation index is only available up to 200304.

NHS Sites (Crimes)

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 9 February 2006, Official Report, column 1487W, on NHS Sites (Crimes), what information her Department holds on the number of crimes committed on NHS sites.

Rosie Winterton: Information is not available in the format requested.

NHS Staff

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) managers, (b) directors and (c) administrators of (i) strategic health authorities, (ii) primary care trusts and (iii) NHS hospital trusts earned more than (A) 133,997 and (B) 183,932 in 2005/06.

Liam Byrne: This information is not held centrally.
	Information on salaries of executives of national health service organisations is published in their annual reports and accounts.

NHS Staff

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the percentage increases in numbers of (a) nurses, (b) doctors and (c) NHS managers were in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: Percentage increases in number of nurses, doctors and national health service managers in each year since 1997 is shown in the following table. The number of managers increased between 2001 and 2003 with the establishment of primary care trusts to strengthen commissioning and community but these will reduce with the reconfiguration currently out to consultation.
	
		England -- headcount
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 All NHS staff 1,058,686 1,071,562 1,097,376 1,117,841 1,166,016 1,223,824 1,282,930 1,331,087 
			 Increase from previous year  12,876 25,814 20,465 48,175 57,808 59,106 48,157 
			 Percentage increase from previous year  1.2 2.4 1.9 4.3 5.0 4.8 3.8 
			 of which: 
			 All doctors 89,619 91,837 93,981 96,319 99,169 103,350 108,993 117,036 
			 Increase from previous year  2,218 2,144 2,338 2,850 4,181 5,643 8,043 
			 Percentage increase from previous year  2.5 2.3 2.5 3.0 4.2 5.5 7.4 
			  
			 Qualified nursing, midwifery and health visiting staff 318,856 323,457 329,637 335,952 350,381 367,520 386,359 397,515 
			 Increase from previous year  4,601 6,180 6,315 14,429 17,139 18,839 11,156 
			 Percentage increase from previous year  1.4 1.9 1.9 4.3 4.9 5.1 2.9 
			  
			 Administrative managers 22,173 22,693 24,287 25,256 27,424 32,294 35,321 37,726 
			 Increase from previous year  520 1,594 969 2,168 4,870 3,027 2,405 
			 Percentage increase from previous year  2.3 7.0 4.0 8.6 17.8 9.4 6.8

NHS Standards

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the minimum standards set out in the Government publication Your guide to the NHSgetting the most from your national health service published in January 2001 remain applicable.

Rosie Winterton: Information on current standards is available through a variety of publications and services, which supersede and improve upon the previous minimum standards in Your guide to the NHS. These publications and services, which take account of the changes in recent years to the national health service and new policy directions, include:
	Primary care trusts locally producing Your guide to local health services;
	the leaflet, It's Your NHS; developing a more personal service;
	the annual Get the right treatment campaign;
	National Standards, Local Action: Health and Social Care Standards and Planning Framework 200506200708the national service frameworks;
	nhs.uk and NHS direct online (www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk) websites; and
	NHS direct telephone service.
	As more comprehensive information is now available, the Department no longer publishes Your guide to the NHS and the minimum standards set out in the publication no longer apply.

NHS-specific Inflation

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 6 March 2006, Official Report, column 1204W, on health-specific inflation, what family health services inflation has been in each year since 199798; if she will define NHS-specific inflation, as referred to in Table 3.2.3 of her Department's written evidence to the Health Committee of 1 December 2005, HC 736-iii; and what NHS-specific inflation was in each year since 199798.

Liam Byrne: The movement in the family health service and national health service indices since 199798 are shown in the table.
	
		Percentage
		
			  FHS index NHS index 
		
		
			 199798 3.0 2.1 
			 199899 3.0 3.9 
			 19992000 4.1 4.6 
			 200001 2.7 4.2 
			 200102 2.1 4.8 
			 200203 3.9 3.5 
			 200304 4.6 4.9 
		
	
	NHS index shows the changes in cost of goods and services in the health service. It is calculated by considering expenditure in the hospital and community health service pay, prices and capital; family health service and other, which includes revenue and capital expenditure on central health miscellaneous services and departmental administration. There was annual movement in these indices prior to 199798; for example in 199293 the FHS index change was 4.3 per cent. and the NHS index was 5.8 per cent.

Nursing Vacancies

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the nursing vacancy levels were at each prison in each of the last 12 months.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Obesity

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 19 December 2005, Official Report, column 2637W, on obesity, if she will clarify the action which the Department plans to take on the establishment of the National Partnership for Obesity.

Caroline Flint: I regret that part of the reply I gave the hon. Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Julia Goldworthy) on 19 December 2005, Official Report, column 2637W, was incorrect. The third paragraph of the answer on the national partnership for obesity should read as follows:
	Over the coming months the Department will explore with relevant non governmental organisations how it can support the establishment of a national partnership for obesity. The objective will be to promote practical action on the prevention and management of obesity and provide a source of information and evidence of effectiveness.

Ophthalmology

David Kidney: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will make eye solution available on prescription for keratoconus patients;
	(2)  what financial assistance her Department gives to support groups that provide help to keratoconus patients;
	(3)  what recent representations she has received on behalf of keratoconus patients, with particular reference to the provision of eye solution on prescription;
	(4)  what steps the NHS is taking to minimise the expense of eye lenses and eye solutions to keratoconus patients.

Rosie Winterton: The hospital eye service (HES) provides contact lenses to those who require them as a clinical necessity. This will include many patients with keratoconus, but in some cases spectacles can be used to correct their vision.
	There is a charge for contact lenses supplied through the HES of 48 per lens. Children, those aged under 19 in full time education, and patients who would be eligible for vouchers for their spectacles are entitled to free contact lenses through the HES scheme. Patients who have a valid HC3 certificate pay up to a maximum of 96 for a pair of lenses.
	It is recognised that the provision of solutions to maintain contact lenses is an integral part of the provision of the lenses. When contact lenses have been fitted for a recognised clinical need, hospitals should make arrangements for patients to receive contact lens solutions for which normal prescription charges rules apply. All classes of patients who are exempt from paying prescription charges, or who have a valid pre-payment certificate, should not be charged for their contact lens solutions.
	We have received no representations on behalf of keratoconus patients regarding the provision of eye solutions on prescription.
	The Department provides financial support via the Section 64 general scheme to a number of organisations that provide advice to individuals with a full range of visual impairment which will include keratoconus. This includes:
	30,000 over three years from 200405 to 200607 for the national association of local societies for visually impaired people;
	40,000 over three years from 200405 to 200607 for Vision 2020 UK; and
	131,698 over three years from 200506 to 200708 for the Royal National Institute of the Blind, for a volunteer counselling project.

Patient Transfers

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Department of Health Winter Report 200506, page 17, how much income is lost by a hospital on average (a) when a patient chooses to be treated elsewhere under the Cancelled Operations Guarantee and (b) when a patient chooses to go to another hospital with lower levels of cancellations; and how much income has been lost by hospitals in total in each of these ways in each year since 200102, broken down by NHS trust.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested in not centrally collected.

PCTs (Greater Manchester)

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many of Greater Manchester's primary care trusts met the 48-hour target for access to GPs in the latest period for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		
			 Organisation name Percentage of patients offered first appointment with a general practitioner within two working days (inc. Walk in centres) 
		
		
			 Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority (SHA) 99.70 
			 South Manchester Primary Care Trust (PCT) 100.00 
			 Central Manchester PCT 100.00 
			 North Manchester PCT 100.00 
			 Trafford South PCT 100.00 
			 Heywood and Middleton PCT 100.00 
			 Salford PCT 100.00 
			 Trafford North PCT 100.00 
			 Stockport PCT 100.00 
			 Ashton, Leigh and Wigan PCT 97.38 
			 Bolton PCT 100.00 
			 Oldham PCT 100.00 
			 Bury PCT 100.00 
			 Rochdale PCT 100.00 
			 Tameside and Glossop PCT 100.00 
		
	
	Source:
	Primary care and specialist performance collections

Pesticides

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action she is taking to reduce exposure to pesticide residues in food; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is committed to minimising pesticide residues in food and has developed a detailed action plan to achieve this. The action plan recognises that many consumers prefer pesticide residues in their food to be kept to a minimum, and reduced further than current safe levels. The FSA's action plan includes the development of crop guides offering a consolidated source of best practice for pesticide residue minimisation on specific crops. Research is also under way to explore the information needs of consumers regarding pesticide residues in food.
	I am advised by the FSA that the current levels of pesticides residues in the United Kingdom food supply do not present a significant concern for human health.

PET Scans

Paul Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what process is used to commission PET scans for patients; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Commissioning of positron emission tomography scans is for local determination depending on local priorities and circumstances.

PET Scans

Paul Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many PET scanners there are in England; and where they are located.

Rosie Winterton: There are currently seven fixed-location scanners routinely available for national health service patients in England. These are located in London and the south-east, with one new scanner now in Birmingham.
	There are also three private clinics which offer positron emission tomography (PET)-computed tomography (CT) services and three mobile scanners which provide services across the United Kingdom. Additionally, research facilities are available in London, Cambridge and Manchester.
	Full details of PET scanners can be found in annex C of The National Framework for the Development of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Services in England. This is available on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/12/10/30/04121030.pdf.

PET Scans

Paul Murphy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria are applied when deciding which patients receive PET scans.

Rosie Winterton: Patients are normally referred for scans by clinicians using locally agreed criteria.
	In October 2005, the Department published The National Framework for the Development of Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Services in England. The framework identifies some of the key indicators that clinicians may use to identify patients for referral for a positron emission tomography scan.
	The framework is available on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/12/10/30/04121030.pdf.

PFI Contracts

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated maximum cost is of liabilities indemnified by the NHS arising from private finance initiative contracts; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The need for indemnities to be given by the national health service to the private sector, or by the private sector to the NHS, normally arises in cases where it is not clear if a liability will ever arise, or, if it does, what the amount of that liability will be. An example would be where, at some point in the future, an NHS employee deliberately damages the contractor's property while on duty at work. It is impossible to predict this sort of event, but it is clear that this would be the NHS's responsibility if it ever occurred. It is better value for money for the NHS to give an indemnity than to make the contractor take the risk, because the contractor is likely to include an allowance in its price in case this should ever happen.
	However, this means that it is impossible to provide a meaningful estimate of the maximum costs of liabilities covered by these indemnities. The liabilities are normally contingent and may never arise. The same applies to many of the indemnities given by the private sector to the NHS.
	The Department is not aware of any examples of claims having been made under contractual indemnities in NHS private finance initiative projects.

Pharmaceutical Industry

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will place in the Library minutes of recent meetings she has had with the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry to discuss the conduct of the pharmaceutical industry.

Jane Kennedy: The Department is the sponsor of United Kingdom pharmaceutical industry, and provides a channel for communication between the Government and the industry. Ministers and leaders in the pharmaceutical industry meet twice a year through the ministerial industry strategy group. The minutes of these meetings are placed on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk. Ministers have held no meetings in the past 12 months to discuss the conduct of the pharmaceutical industry.

Pharmacies

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate she has made of the funds received by pharmacies as a result of the difference between the price paid for drugs by (a) the Prescription Pricing Authority and (b) pharmacists in each financial year since 200001; and what estimate she has made of the funds received in (i)200506 and (ii) 200607;
	(2)  which 10 drugs contributed most to the total funding of pharmacies because of the difference between the price paid by the pharmacies and the price paid by the Prescription Pricing Authority (PPA) in each year since 200001; what estimate she has made of the total funding from that source in the next two financial years; and what the price paid was by (a) the pharmacy and (b) the PPA for each of those 10 drugs.

Jane Kennedy: There was a survey to measure the margin on drugs available to community pharmaceutical contractors (the discount inquiry) in October 2000. The discount inquiry asked a random sample of pharmacy contractors what prices they had paid for a sample of medicines including rebates from suppliers. As a result of this survey, the claw-back used to calculate reimbursement prices paid to pharmacists was increased by about 0.6 per cent., depending on size of pharmacy, from an average of about 10.6 per cent. to 11.2 per cent. Under the terms of its agreement between the Department and the pharmaceutical services negotiating committee, the data used in the discount inquiry remain confidential.
	Although there have been no discount inquiries since 2000, the Department has monitored drug prices using market information from manufacturers and wholesalers. As a result of this, and following a public consultation paper, the Department reduced the reimbursement prices of four recently out of patent medicines on two occasions: the first with effect from December 2003 and the second with effect from September 2004. In total, this reduced the retained margins available to community pharmacy contractors by 300 million per annum.
	When the current community pharmacy contractual framework was implemented in April 2005, the amount of retained margins in England was assessed as 500 million per year. This money is an integral part of the total of 1,766 million agreed during the contract negotiations, and will help to pay for services to patients. The Department is currently undertaking surveys of community pharmacy contractor invoices to determine the current amount of retained margin available to pharmacy contractors. If the current survey shows that total retained margins differ substantially from 500 million, the Department will make adjustments by varying reimbursement prices or the claw-back to bring it in line with the sum agreed as part of the contractual framework. The Department will continue to assess the level of retained margin but does not believe it is realistic to prepare forecasts as the actual sums retained will be determined by the market prices for generic medicines which can change significantly over time.
	From a survey in October 2005, the 10 drug presentations that contributed most to the total funding of pharmacies due to the difference between the price paid by the pharmacies and the price paid by the Prescription Pricing Authority (PPA) were as in the following table.
	
		
			 Drug presentation PPA reimbursement price, October 2005 
		
		
			 Simvastatin tablets 40mg, pack size 28 4.14 
			 Simvastatin tablets 20mg, pack size 28 1.79 
			 Omeprazole capsules enteric coated 20mg, pack size 28 10.59 
			 Amlodipine tablets 5mg, pack size 28 5.48 
			 Citalopram Hydrobromide tablets 20mg, pack size 28 2.59 
			 Amlodipine tablets l0mg, pack size 28 7.96 
			 Pravastatin Sodium tablets 40mg, pack size 28 3.33 
			 Ramipril capsules l0mg, pack size 28 2.78 
			 Gabapentin capsules 300mg, pack size 100 53.26 
			 Ramipril capsules 5mg, pack size 28 2.55 
		
	
	When assessing the prices paid by the PPA, it is important to note that there is a claw-back such that the reimbursement to pharmacies is reduced currently by 6 per cent. to 12.5 per cent., depending on the size of the pharmacy; this reduction is not allowed for in the table.
	Disclosure of prices paid by pharmacy contractors for the purchase of these medicines might prejudice co-operation in future and make it impossible to undertake these surveys, and hence make the monitoring of total payments under the pharmacy contract very difficult.

Pharmacies

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether it is her policy that patients should continue to have access to pharmacists for advice and support following the enactment of the Health Bill.

Jane Kennedy: Patients will continue to have access to pharmacists for advice and support following enactment of the Health Bill. Provisions in the Bill will allow pharmacists greater flexibility in how they use their clinical skills to offer patients a wider range of pharmacy services.

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what treatment is available for post-traumatic stress disorder (a) in England and (b) in the Gosport area; and what delays in the availability of treatment have occurred in the last 12 months.

Rosie Winterton: Psychological and drug treatments for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are available for people eligible for national health service treatment. NHS organisations were given guidance on the management of PTSD in primary and secondary care by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence in March 2005. Local NHS organisations should review their existing clinical guidelines, care pathways and protocols in the treatment and management of PTSD in the light of this guidance, and revise them accordingly.
	The Hampshire and Isle of Wight strategic health authority reported that there had been delays in accessing the psychological therapy service in Fareham and Gosport over the last year but that plans are in hand to address this.

Premature Babies

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many babies were born under 25 weeks in each hospital in England in the last five years; and how many of these survived.

Liam Byrne: This information is not collected centrally.

Primary Care Trusts

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the respondents to the public consultation on the reconfiguration of primary care trusts in Cambridgeshire to date; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not held centrally.
	The local consultation on primary care trust reconfiguration in Cambridgeshire is the responsibility of Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire strategic health authority (SHA). It is for the SHA to provide information about respondents to the local consultation.

Primary Care Trusts

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) the target level of funding and (b) the proposed accrual level of funding for each primary care trust in Essex is for (i) 200607 and (ii) 200708.

Rosie Winterton: Revenue allocations are made to primary care trusts (PCTs) on the basis of the relative needs of their populations. A weighted capitation formula is used to set targets, which then inform allocations. The formula does not determine allocations. Actual allocations reflect decisions on the speed at which PCTs are brought nearer to target through the distribution of extra funds (pace of change policy).
	The following tables show the target and actual levels of funding, the percentage increases and closing distances from target for the years 200607 and 200708 for PCTs in Essex.
	
		200607
		
			 PCT Target allocation (000) Recurrent allocation (000) Closing DFT (percentage) Closing DFT (000) 
		
		
			 Basildon 144,571 137,269 -5.1 -7,302 
			 Billericay, Brentwood and Wickford 153,606 154,036 0.3 430 
			 Castle Point and Rochford 195,347 187,964 -3.8 -7,383 
			 Chelmsford 130,810 130,594 -0.2 -216 
			 Colchester 187,330 181,421 -3.2 -5,908 
			 Epping Forest 128,279 131,877 2.8 3,598 
			 Harlow 105,509 107,862 2.2 2,353 
			 Maldon and South Chelmsford 88,879 84,733 -4.7 -4,146 
			 Southend on Sea 211,308 217,056 2.7 5,748 
			 Tendring 210,852 200,202 -5.1 -10,649 
			 Thurrock 192,050 181,711 -5.4 -10,338 
			 Uttlesford 74,226 73,835 -0.5 -392 
			 Witham, Braintree and Halstead 158,144 150,157 -5.1 -7,987 
		
	
	
		200708
		
			 PCT Target allocation (000) Recurrent allocation (000) Closing DFT (percentage) Closing DFT (000) 
		
		
			 Basildon 158,589 153,039 -3.5 -5,551 
			 Billericay, Brentwood and Wickford 167,876 168,212 0.2 336 
			 Castle Point and Rochford 214,512 207,004 -3.5 -7,508 
			 Chelmsford 143,105 143,032 -0.1 -73 
			 Colchester 205,504 199,216 -3.1 -6,288 
			 Epping Forest 140,981 142,642 1.2 1,661 
			 Harlow 115,188 116,667 1.3 1,479 
			 Maldon and South Chelmsford 97,792 94,369 -3.5 -3,423 
			 Southend on Sea 231,041 234,771 1.6 3,730 
			 Tendring 231,818 223,705 -3.5 -8,114 
			 Thurrock 211,783 204,371 -3.5 -7,412 
			 Uttlesford 81,429 81,090 -0.4 -339 
			 Witham, Braintree and Halstead 174,426 168,321 -3.5 -6,105

Primary Care Trusts

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer of 10 March 2006, Official Report, column 1828W, on primary care trusts (expenditure), if she will provide details of the allocations per (a) weighted and (b) unweighted head for each primary care trust in (i) 200506, (ii) 200607 and (iii) 200708 in the same format as that provided in the answer to the hon. Member for East Worthing and Shoreham (Tim Loughton) on 30 June 2005, Official Report, column 1766W, on primary care trusts.

Liam Byrne: Information on the allocations per weighted and unweighted head for each primary care trust in 200506, 200607 and 200708 has been placed in the Library.

Primary Care Trusts

Roger Godsiff: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which of the primary care trusts in the West Midlands have informed her of plans to make redundancies; and (a) how many and (b) in what locations redundancies have been proposed.

Rosie Winterton: Local consultation on boundary changes to strategic health authorities and primary care trusts concluded on 22 March. No decisions on boundary changes will be taken until the outcomes of local consultation have been fully considered. Until any boundary changes are agreed, it is not possible to calculate the number of job losses in any particular area.

Primary Healthcare (Brentford and Isleworth)

Ann Keen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action her Department has taken to improve primary healthcare services in Brentford and Isleworth constituency since 1997.

Jane Kennedy: The Government have put in place a programme of national health service investment and reform since 1997 to improve service delivery in England. There is significant evidence that these policies have yielded considerable benefits for the Brentford and Isleworth constituency. For example:
	In June 2002, 46 per cent., of patients were able to be offered an appointment with a general practitioner within two-days whereas the latest figures available show that all local patients now have this opportunity.
	In September 2001, there were 120 general medical practitioners, which excludes retainers and registrars, in the primary care trust (PCT) area. By June 2005, this had increased to 104, an increase of 17 per cent.
	As at December 2005, there are 154 general dental service (GDS) and personal dental service (PDS) dentists in the Hounslow PCT area. This is an increase of seven per cent., from December 2004 where there were 144 CDS and PDS dentists.
	Adult GDS and PDS registrations in the Hounslow PCT area have increased by approximately 7 per cent., from December 2004 to December 2005.
	Child GDS and PDS registrations in the Hounslow PCT area have increased by approximately 9 per cent, from December 2004 to December 2005.
	As at December 2005, there are 50 dental practices in the Hounslow PCT area.
	Work has already commenced on the Thelma Golding Health Centre Local Improvement Finance Trust scheme. The current buildings will be demolished and a new health centre developed which is expected to be completed January 2007.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the impact of (a) overcrowding and (b) inter-prison transfers of inmates on the delivery of prison health care; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: No such assessment has been made. We accept that overcrowding and the consequent need to move prisoners around has its effects on prisoners' health and well being. However, we are in the process of reforming prison healthcare services. We have increased investment in healthcare in the public prisons by 40 million a year, a rise of over one third since 200203, and have transferred the responsibility for commissioning services from the Prison Service to national health service primary care trusts. In addition to this, NHS investment in mental health services for prisoners totalled just under 20 million in 200506.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the quality of healthcare provision in prisons;
	(2)  what steps she is taking to ensure that (a) the quality of healthcare provision in prisons is improved and (b) access to treatment in prisons is widened.

Rosie Winterton: From April 2006, all national health service primary care trusts have been responsible for commissioning primary healthcare for the public prisons in their areas. This milestone completes the transfer of prison healthcare from the Prison Service to the NHS in order to improve prison healthcare so that that all prisoners have access to health services that are broadly equivalent in range and quality to those available to the general public.
	We are supporting these improvements with extra revenue; in 200203, some 118 million was available, in 200506 this rose to nearly 176 million.
	The Department is working with the Home Office to improve further health and social care for prisoners through a shared programme that includes extending access to NHS-funded mental health in-reach teams to all prisons, further improving in primary care services, developing the prison health workforce and improving the prison health estate.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the impact on the (a) provision and (b) accessibility of dental services in prisons of the new contractual arrangements for dentists.

Rosie Winterton: In April 2003, the Department and HM Prison Service produced a strategy for modernising national health service prison health services. All prisons in England have produced action plans outlining how they will meet the requirements of the strategy including improving access to dental care. In April 2005, primary care trusts (PCTs) which host prisons became responsible for commissioning services to meet the health care needs of prisoners including dental services. As such, PCTs have the responsibility for providing the services required to meet the oral health needs of prisoners.
	General dental practitioners providing dental services for prisoners will now be doing so under the new NHS contractual arrangements.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps she is taking to improve the accuracy of healthcare records of inmates in prison; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Since 2005, most national health service primary care trusts (PCTs) have been responsible for commissioning healthcare services in the publicly run prisons in England and Wales. From April 2006, all PCTs have had this responsibility. NHS standards, as overseen by NHS professional bodies, now apply to the accuracy and quality of healthcare records of inmates in prisons. Local improvements and developments in respect of accuracy or quality will be taken forward by PCTs.
	The National Programme for Information Technology will include prison healthcare centres. This will ensure that prisoners' clinical records adhere to NHS standards of quality and accuracy for electronic records. These records will be electronically transferable not only between prisons, but also to and from the wider NHS, which will help ensure accuracy and continuity of healthcare.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what discussions she has had with the Prison Service about the treatment of inmates with long-term mental health problems;
	(2)  what steps she is taking to increase mental health provision for those detained in prison with severe mental health problems.

Rosie Winterton: The Department and the Prison Service are working in partnership to improve the health services available to prisoners. Discussions are ongoing and take place at ministerial and Prison Service management board level, with the coordination of a joint Department of Health and Home Office Directorate.
	Under the national partnership agreement on the transfer of responsibility for prison health from the Home Office to the Department, prison health services, including mental health services, have moved from the Prison Service and are now part of the mainstream national health service, with primary care trusts becoming responsible for commissioning these services for the public prisons from April 2006.
	The Department is investing nearly 20 million a year in NHS mental health in-reach services for prisoners with severe and enduring mental health problems. These in-reach teams are based on community mental health team models working within prisons and therefore help to provide continuing care as prisoners move between prison and the community. Mental health services are based on the mental health national service framework standards and incorporate use of the care programme approach to ensure assessment, treatment planning and review of individuals' needs. By the spring, every prison in England and Wales will have access to these services.
	It is our policy that prisoners with severe mental health problems should be transferred and treated in hospital whenever possible. To help facilitate quicker transfers to hospital, the Department and the Home Office produced joint guidance in November 2005, to help staff delivering mental health services in prisons work more effectively with community health services. This guidance, The transfer of prisoners to and fromhospital under sections 47 and 48 of the Mental Health Act (1983), Prison Service Instruction 03/2006 is available on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/12/36/31/04123631.pdf.

Private Procedures (Unpaid Bills)

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much is owed to NHS trusts arising out of unpaid bills for private medical procedures.

Jane Kennedy: The information is not collected centrally. However, we expect national health service trusts to follow up and take appropriate action to recover all outstanding unpaid bills.

Prostate Cancer

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of prostate cancer patients received an appointment with a specialist within two weeks of being referred to one by their general practitioner in the last period for which figures are available.

Rosie Winterton: Data are not collected separately on referrals for prostate cancer but they are included in monitoring of patients with urological cancers. In the last quarter (October to December 2005) 99.8 per cent., of urgent general practitioner referrals for urological cancers were seen by a specialist within two weeks.

Prostate Cancer

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding has been provided for specialist nursing posts in prostate cancer treatment centres.

Rosie Winterton: Information on funding of specialist nursing posts is not collected centrally. It is for cancer networks to work in partnership with strategic health authorities and work force development directorates to assess, plan and review their work force needs and the education and training of all staff linked to local and national priorities for cancer.

Prostate Cancer

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how the money provided by her Department for a public awareness programme for prostate cancer announced on 31 October 2005 has been spent.

Rosie Winterton: The Department is providing 50,000 towards the development of the prostate public awareness pilot, which is being jointly funded by signatories to the Prostate Cancer Charter for Action. The Department is providing a further 50,000 to design and commission the evaluation of the pilot. The pilot will start later this year.

Protection of Children Act

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many registered doctors are included on the list kept under section 1 of the Protection of Children Act 1999.

Ruth Kelly: I have been asked to reply.
	My Department can produce this information only at disproportionate cost.

Purchaser Parity Adjustment Scheme

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the potential effects of the earlier phasing out of the purchaser parity adjustment scheme within the healthcare system in Suffolk; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the likely savings arising from the phasing out of the purchaser parity adjustment scheme within the NHS;
	(3)  for what reasons her Department is phasing out the purchaser parity adjustment scheme.

Rosie Winterton: The decision to reduce the level of purchaser parity adjustments (PPA) involved a fine judgement about the need for stability, maintaining support in full, as in 200506, versus the need to move back to a position where primary care trusts' (PCTs) spending power is more closely aligned with their fair share of national health service resources, as determined by the weighted capitation formula.

Pure Tone Audiometry

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time has been for patients waiting for pure tone audiometry since January 2006.

Liam Byrne: Data on waiting times for pure tone audiometry have been collected since January 2006. We hope to commence routine monthly publication of diagnostic waiting time data in the spring once we are assured that they are of sufficient quality.

Resource Allocation Target (West Norfolk)

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated cumulative difference is between the National Health Service Advisory Committee on resource allocation target for West Norfolk and the (a) actual and (b) expected funding over the five year period from 200304 to 200708 inclusive; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Revenue allocations are made to primary care trusts (PCTs) on the basis of the relative needs of their populations. A weighted capitation formula is used to set targets, which then inform allocations. The formula does not determine allocations. Allocations reflect decisions on the speed at which PCTs are brought nearer to target through the distribution of extra funds (pace of change policy).
	In addition to moving PCTs closer to their fair share of the allocation, we must balance the need to maintain continuity and stability across the nation. This will ensure stability of funding for PCTs, and allow them to make progress nationally and in local priority areas.
	Pace of change policy is decided by Ministers for each allocations round. For the 200608 revenue allocations, it has been decided to move PCTs more quickly towards their fair share of funds. As a result of this allocation round, no PCT will be more than 3.5 per. cent, below its fair share
	Distance from target (DFT) and cumulative DFT for West Norfolk PCT for the years 200304 to 200708 is provided in the following table.
	
		
			  DFT (percentage) DFT ( million) Cumulative DFT ( million) 
		
		
			 200304 -6.0 -8.5 -8.5 
			 200405 -5.7 -8.8 -17.3 
			 200506 -5.6 -9.4 -26.7 
			 200607 -5.1 -10.0 -36.7 
			 200708 -3.5 -7.5 -44.2

Salt

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1) what representations she has received on the decision of the Food Standards Agency to revise targets for salt levels in food;
	(2)  how much salt was consumed on average per person in each year from 1997 to 2005.

Caroline Flint: I have not received any representations following the publication of the Food Standard Agency's (FSA) salt reduction targets.
	Salt consumption figures are not collected annually, and the most recent data, obtained in 200001 from the national diet and nutrition survey of adults aged 19 to 64, found average adult salt intake to be about 9.5 grams per day.
	The FSA has taken the decision to set up a new rolling programme of national diet and nutrition surveys to provide data on trends in nutrient intakes, so strengthening the ability to track changes over time. The rolling programme will cover all age groups, and the first results from the rolling programme should be available from 200809.

Schizophrenia

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how her Department (a) defines and (b) categorises schizophrenia for the purposes of allocating drugs; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not allocate drugs. The international standard diagnostic classification for all general epidemiological and many health management purposes is currently the International Classification of Diseases 10th Edition (ICD-10) published by the World Health Organisation. ICD-10 classifies schizophrenia as a mental and behavioural disorder which is characterized in general by fundamental and characteristic distortions of thinking and perception, and effects that are inappropriate or blunted. ICD-10 is available at www.who.int/classifications/icd/en. Decisions about treatments are taken on an individual basis by the clinicians involved.

Selective Seratonin Re-uptake Inhibitors

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what interim guidance her Department plans to give to GPs on (a) the prescribing of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors and (b) the referral to a counsellor or therapist of individuals suffering from mild or moderate depression in those areas without access to first-line recommended therapists; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Clinical guidelines on the management of depression in primary and secondary care were issued by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in 2004. The guidelines outline appropriate prescribing practices for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) drugs and recommend effective psychological treatments for people with depression and anxiety. They will set national standards for care across England and Wales and can be found on the NICE website at www.nice.org.uk.
	The safety of SSRIs has been under continual review by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) since the products were first marketed in the 1980s. This was considered by the committee on safety of medicines (CSM)now the commission on human medicineson a number of occasions, particularly their use in association with suicidal behaviour and withdrawal reactions. The CSM and its expert working group published their key findings on the MHRA website at www.mhra.gov.uk.
	The MHRA/CSM reminded all prescribing doctors and pharmacists of the risks and benefits of SSRIs and related antidepressants in children and adolescents in 2003. A fact sheet on SSRIs to aid discussion between prescribers and patients was also issued by the CSM in 2003. In 2004, a reminder of key prescribing advice was issued to prescribers of the recommended dose regimen for the major SSRI drug Paroxetine (Seroxat). The expert working group's key findings, which focused on three key areaswithdrawal reactions, dose changes and suicidal behaviourwere communicated to health professionals in the United Kingdom in December 2004.
	Other guidance is available for general practitioners. In 2001, the Department issued an evidence based guideline, Treatment choice in psychological therapies and counselling to help general practitioners and other professionals know more about the most effective treatments for particular conditions. A booklet for service users and carers, Choosing talking treatments?, was also published in 2001 to aid service users and carers when seeking GP referrals to talking therapies. In 2004, the Department also published a best practice guide, Organising and delivering psychological therapies, to help inform general practitioners and other local services deliver acceptable, accessible, equitable, cost effective and safe psychological therapy services.

Sexual Health

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people in (a) the North East, (b) the Tees Valley and (c) the area corresponding as closely as possible to Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland constituency were diagnosed with (i) gonorrhoea, (ii)hepatitis, (iii) chlamydia, (iv) epididymitis and (v)syphilis in each year since 1997.

Liam Byrne: The data for the number of gonorrhoea, chlamydia and syphilis diagnoses made at genito-urinary medicine (GUM) clinics are only collected at strategic health authority (SHA) level, and the relevant data for County Durham and Tees Valley SHA are available on the Health Protection Agency's website at:
	www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/hiv_and__sti/epidemiology/dataresource.htm
	There is no current surveillance system which collects data on the number of epididymitis diagnoses. However, the KC60 statistical return collects information on the total number of complicated sexually transmitted infections (B5, C4B and C5) which includes epididymitis in males. These data are shown in table 1.
	New diagnoses of viral hepatitis B and hepatitis C in males and females made at GUM clinics in County Durham and Tees Valley SHA for 2000 to 2004 are shown in table 2.
	
		Table 1: Diagnoses of complicated sexually transmitted infections in males including epididymitis, made at genito-urinary medicine clinics in County Durham and Tees Valley strategic health authority: 2000 to 2004
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2000 47 
			 2001 25 
			 2002 21 
			 2003 24 
			 2004 48 
		
	
	Source:
	KC60 Returns.
	
		Table 2: New diagnoses of viral hepatitis B and C in males and females made at genito-urinary medicine clinics in County Durhamand Tees Valley SHA: 2000 to 2004
		
			 Condition description Sex 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Viral hepatitis B (HbsAg positive): first diagnosis(63) Female 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Viral hepatitis B (HbsAg positive): first diagnosis(64) Male 0 0 0 2 1 
			 (63)Number of which were acute viral hepatitis B Female 0 0 0 0 0 
			 (64)Number of which were acute viral hepatitis B Male 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Viral hepatitis C: first diagnosis Female 5 0 2 2 3 
			 Viral hepatitis C: first diagnosis Male 5 3 6 5 5 
		
	
	Source:
	KC60 Returns.

Sexual Health

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the Answer of 10 March 2006, Official Report, column 1830W, on sexual health, what assessment she has made of chlamydia levels in Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire Strategic Health Authority; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in England which has no obvious symptoms and can cause infertility. We are therefore tackling this through the national chlamydia screening programme (NCSP).
	The White Paper, Choosing Health: Making healthier choices easier, a copy of which is available in the Library, announced an accelerated timetable to achieve national roll out of the NCSP by 2007. We are well ahead of this target.
	The Health Protection Agency is now leading on the roll out of the programme and is supporting local areas, including Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire to drive up the number of people screened.

Sexual Health

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who the head of the Sexual Health and Substance Misuse Directorate is; what relevant specialist qualifications he or she holds; and what his or her career has been to date.

Caroline Flint: Following a reorganisation, the Sexual Health and Substance Misuse Directorate now forms part of the health improvement directorate (HID). Dr.Fiona Adshead, Deputy Chief Medical Officer (DCMO), is the director of the HID.
	Dr. Adshead holds the qualifications of Bachelor of Science, MB BS, Fellow Royal College of Physicians, Master of Science, Fellow Faculty of Public Health.
	Dr. Adshead has extensive experience of effectively leading, managing and delivering both clinical services and public health programmes at director level, both as DCMO and latterly as director of public health in inner London. She has significant experience at international, national and local levels, working with key stakeholders to drive forward policy development and strengthen service delivery.
	As DCMO and director of health improvement, Dr.Adshead leads on health improvement policy development and ensures effective delivery of health care programmes to improve population health in areas which include obesity, sexual health, substance misuse and smoking cessation.

Sexual Health

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of sexual health education provision in Hertfordshire; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Primary care trusts (PCTs) are responsible for providing sexual health promotion services which meet local needs, and they have the freedom and flexibility to decide how best to configure these services. The Department has provided best practice guidance, through the Recommended Standards for Sexual Health Services, and the Effective Sexual Health Promotion Toolkit to support them in this role. Sexual health and access to genitourinary medicine clinics is included as one of the six key priorities for the national health service for 200607.

Smoking

Peter Law: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment her Department has made of the compatability with the Human Rights Act 1998 of the Health Bill with reference to its proposed prohibition of smoking in public places.

Caroline Flint: I have made a statement under section 19 of the Human Rights Act 1998 that the Bill is, in my view, compatible with the European Convention on Human Rights.
	Various issues are considered to be particularly engaged in relation to the Bill, although careful consideration has been given to all aspects of human rights in relation to these proposals.
	On the smoke-free provision of the Bill, the question of whether taking measures of the kind provided for in this Bill to control the use of products which are lawfully on sale to persons over 16 would breach the rights in Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life) was considered. However, it was not felt that, even if such rights were engaged, there would be any breach of such rights. Any interference with such rights is justified on grounds of protection of health. This is set out in the explanatory notes published alongside the Heath Bill introduced in the House of Commons on 27 October 2005. A copy is available in the Library.

Strategic Health Authorities (Pensions)

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much money is to be paid into the pension of each strategic health authority chief executive officer who is being made redundant.

Liam Byrne: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Streptococcal Diseases

Andy Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department has commissioned on severe group A streptococcal diseases in the last five years.

Jane Kennedy: None. The main agency through which the Government supports medical and clinical research is the medical research council (MRC). The MRC, an independent body funded by the Department of Trade and Industry via the Office of Science and Technology, is currently funding one relevant study, Group A streptococcal fimbriaenovel surface structures interacting with human tonsil.
	Over 75 per. cent, of the Department's total expenditure on health research is devolved to and managed by national health service organisations. Details of individual projects, including a number concerned with group A streptococcal diseases, are available on the national research register on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/research.

Stroke

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of people under the age of 65 years suffered from (a) ischaemic and (b) haemorrhagic stroke in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		All diagnoses count of patients aged under 65 for Haemorrhagic(63)stroke and Ischaemic(64)stroke in national health service hospitals in England, 199798 to 200405
		
			 Data year Haemorrhagic stroke Ischaemic stroke 
		
		
			 199798 8,534 5,542 
			 199899 8,488 6,146 
			 19992000 8,180 6,504 
			 200001 7,825 6,670 
			 200102 7,990 7,142 
			 200203 8,011 8,202 
			 200304 7,991 8,261 
			 200405 7,972 8,734 
		
	
	(63)Haemorrhagic Stroke defined as ICD-10 = I60-I62 diagnoses codes recorded in primary or in any of the secondary diagnoses fields
	(64)Ischaemic Stroke defined as ICD-10= 163 diagnosis code recorded in primary or in any of the secondary diagnoses fields
	Patient counts
	Patient counts are based on the unique patient identifier Hospital Episode Statistic identification (HESID). This identifier is derived based on patient's date of birth, postcode, sex, local patient identifier and NHS number, using an agreed algorithm. Where data is incomplete, HESID might erroneously link episodes or fail to recognise episodes for the same patient. Care is therefore needed, especially where duplicate records persist in the data. The patient count cannot be summed across a table where patients may have episodes in more than one cell.
	All diagnoses count of patients
	These figures represent a count of patients where the diagnosis was mentioned in any of the 14 (seven prior to 200203) diagnosis fields in a Hospital Episode Statistic (HES) record.
	Diagnosis (primary diagnosis)
	The primary diagnosis is the first of up to 14 (seven prior to 200203) diagnosis fields in the HES data set and provides the main reason why the patient was in hospital.
	Secondary diagnosis
	As well as the primary diagnosis, there are up to 13 (six prior to 200203) secondary diagnosis fields in HES that show other diagnosis relevant to the episode of care.
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics, NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre

Stroke

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many and what percentage of people suffering a stroke received a brain scan within (a) three hours, (b) 24 hours and (c) 48 hours in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not collected centrally.

Superannuation Liability

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what total amount of employers' normal contributions accruing superannuation liability charge has been accounted for by her Department in each of the last five years for which data is available.

Liam Byrne: The amount of employers' accruing superannuation liability charges in respect of members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme in the last five years is shown in the following table.
	
		000
		
			  Amount 
		
		
			 200405(65) 14,985 
			 200304(65) 21,096 
			 200203(65) 20,022 
			 200102 21,167 
			 200001 19,782 
		
	
	(65)From October 2002, new entrants have been able to opt for a partnership pension account, a stakeholder arrangement with an employer contribution. Employers' contributions to partnership pension accounts are not included in the above figures.

Sustainable Building

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of her Department's building programme budget was allocated to (a) energy self-generation and (b) water recycling measures in the last financial year.

Liam Byrne: The Department has not allocated any funds to either energy self-generation or to water recycling measures in the past financial year.

Talking Therapies

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what information she has received on compliance with National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidance on talking therapies for patients with depression in (a) Birmingham and (b) England; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not routinely collect information on local national health service organisations' compliance with the guidelines published by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE). Local health communities are expected to review their existing practice in the treatment and management of various mental health problems against NICE guidelines. The reviews should consider the resources required to implement any recommendations relating to the use of psychological interventions and the timeline over which full implementation is envisaged. As announced in the recent White Paper, Our health, our care, our say: a new direction for community service, the Government are committed to expanding access to psychological therapies. To this end, two demonstration sites are being established for people of working age with mild to moderate mental health problems with the aim of helping them to remain in or return to work. The sites will also aim to establish an evidence base for the effectiveness of such therapies and to support the extension to non-working age people and those with moderate to severe mental illness.

Telephone and Entertainment Systems

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) composition and (b) remit is of the review group on hospital telephone and entertainment system charges.

Liam Byrne: The Department has set up a review group to explore the issue of costs to users of the bedside television and telephone systems in national health service hospitals.
	The review group includes representation from the Department, the NHS, Connecting for Health, patient representation, the private sector, the Department's commercial solicitors, the Healthcare Commission and Ofcom.
	The terms of reference of the review group are:
	Review all aspects of the charging structure:
	Level of inbound call charges.
	Requirement to cap outbound call charges at the standard national call rate.
	The availability of some free television and radio, and free television for children.
	Whether the cross subsidisation across the various services is appropriate or desirable.
	Whether it is appropriate for a recorded message to be played in its entirety at the outset of each and every call.
	Review the requirement to install, with limited clinical exceptions, units at every bedside within a hospital site, irrespective of use. Could this be altered in respect of all new installations and the repair and renewal of units already installed?
	Review the requirement to offer services through a combined unit, offering television and telephone and capable of offering added value services. It should consider not only the extent to which NHS trusts have made use of the added functionality, or could make use in the future, but should consider what the appropriate minimum standards should be for all future installations and renewals.
	Review and clarify the guidance issued by the Department in respect of NHS trusts exercising their own discretion in determining the local policy on the use of mobile phones in hospitals.
	It will produce its concluding report in June 2006.

Temporary Staff

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the temporary staff costs were for (a) doctors, (b) nurses, (c) other health care professionals and (d) administrative staff for each NHS trust in England in each year for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: Information relating to temporary staffing spend, for the relevant staff groups from 199798 to 200405, the last year for which information is available, has been placed in the Library.

Temporary Staff

Francis Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the (a) temporary staff costs and (b) temporary staff costs as a percentage of total staff costs in the specified staff group, for (i) doctors, (ii) nurses, (iii) other healthcare professionals and (iv) administrative and clerical staff in each strategic health authority area for each year for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 9 January 2006, Official Report, column 172W. Information relating to temporary staffing spend for the relevant staff groups, expressed as a percentage of total national health service staff spend for 200405, the last year for which information is available is shown in the table.
	
		Percentage
		
			 SHA SHA name Medical Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting staff Administrative and Clerical Healthcare Assistants and Other Support staff 
		
		
			 Q01 Total Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridge 6 3 3 2 
			 Q02 Total Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire 7.81 4.76 5.07 2.98 
			 Q03 Total Essex 9.39 4.13 8.74 8.06 
			 Q04 Total North West London 4.96 5.73 8.75 4.15 
			 Q05 Total North Central London 4.48 6.43 9.50 10.22 
			 Q06 Total North East London 5.25 9.81 13.06 4.93 
			 Q07 Total South East London 3.96 5.18 7.88 10.78 
			 Q08 Total South West London 5.75 6.31 9.68 12.44 
			 Q09 Total Northumberland, Tyne and Wear 2.91 0.90 3.83 1.29 
			 Q10 Total County Durham and Tees Valley 3.85 1.22 3.38 1.79 
			 Q11 Total North and East Yorkshire and N. Lincs. 3.85 1.79 2.86 1.12 
			 Q12 Total West Yorkshire 4.86 1.58 4.32 3.23 
			 Q13 Total Cumbria and Lancashire 5.78 1.22 2.83 4.18 
			 Q14 Total Greater Manchester 3.98 3.09 4.61 2.41 
			 Q15 Total Cheshire and Merseyside 4.16 1.79 3.01 1.77 
			 Q16 Total Thames Valley 5.49 3.34 4.67 5.81 
			 Q17 Total Hampshire and Isle of Wight 3.49 4.14 4.22 4.51 
			 Q18 Total Kent and Medway 6.45 3.10 4.18 7.50 
			 Q19 Total Surrey and Sussex 7.27 4.85 3.87 6.18 
			 Q20 Total Avon, Gloucestershire and Wiltshire 3.75 3.90 2.68 7.06 
			 Q21 Total South West Peninsula 4.81 3.11 2.59 1.63 
			 Q22 Total Dorset and Somerset 3.93 3.07 3.80 8.95 
			 Q23 Total South Yorkshire 5.66 1.80 3.64 2.00 
			 Q24 Total Trent 4.69 2.42 4.23 2.67 
			 Q25 Total Leics, Northants and Rutland 5.17 2.83 4.40 1.62 
			 Q26 Total Shropshire and Staffordshire 2.38 1.79 3.41 2.17 
			 Q27 Total Birmingham and the Black Country 4.04 3.46 5.10 2.87 
			 Q28 Total West Midlands South 6.91 3.96 2.83 1.28

Transfats

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether (a) her Department has and (b) its agencies have (i) assessed and (ii) plans to assess the effect that placing a legal maximum limit on the occurrence of transfats in food would have on the reduction of health inequalities.

Caroline Flint: Data from national diet and nutrition surveys show little evidence of socio-economic differences in fatty acid intakes, consequently no assessment has been made of the effect that placing a legal maximum on the occurrence of trans fatty acids (TFA) in foods would have on health inequalities, and there are currently no plans to make such assessments.
	Average intakes of TFA by consumers were 1.1 per cent. of total energy in 200001, and well within the maximum level of 2.0 per cent. recommended by the committee on medical aspects of food policy (COMA) in 1994. COMA's recommendation was based on evidence on the adverse effects of TFA on coronary heart disease risk.

University Hospital of North Staffordshire

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health at which board meeting of the University hospital of North Staffordshire the issuing of the Service and Financial Recovery Workforce Changes Consultation Document was (a) discussed and (b) approved.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not held centrally.

University Hospital of North Staffordshire

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress has been made in recruiting a new chairman for the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

Rosie Winterton: Responsibility for appointments to national health service boards has been delegated to the NHS Appointments Commission. The chairman of the NHS Appointments Commission, Sir William Wells, has been asked to respond directly to my hon. Friend.

University Hospital of North Staffordshire

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role she expects the accountancy firm Deloittes to perform at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire during 2006.

Rosie Winterton: The turnaround teams were announced by the Secretary of State for Health in a written ministerial statement on 1 December 2005, Official Report, column 35WS.
	Following the baseline assessment of University Hospital of North Staffordshire which was undertaken by KPMG before Christmas, the local national health service appointed Deloittes to give the trust tailored turnaround support to help them to achieve financial balance and provide services more efficiently. The detail of the support provided to the trust is specified by the trust and strategic health authority to suit local circumstances.

University Hospital of North Staffordshire

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  when she expects the University Hospital of North Staffordshire to conclude the service level agreements with local health commissioning bodies for the year ending 31 March 2007;
	(2)  when she expects the board of the University Hospital of North Staffordshire formally to agree a budget for the year ending 31 March 2007.

Rosie Winterton: Shropshire and Staffordshire strategic health authority reports that the annual financial plan and associated financial recovery plan are scheduled for the agenda of the University Hospital of North Staffordshire National Health Service Trust Board meeting on 24 April 2006.
	The trust has agreed draft service level agreements with its main commissioners and intends to finalise these arrangements during April for final approval at the board meeting on 24 April.

University Hospital of North Staffordshire

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether the University Hospital of North Staffordshire will be required to include the cost of redundancies from its financial recovery plan in the savings it needs to make to restore its reserves into surplus;
	(2)  whether the redundancy costs attributable to the service and financial recovery workforce changes at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire will be met by (a) the Department, (b) the strategic health authority and (c) the hospital;
	(3)  what estimate has been made of the redundancy costs of the implementation of the service and financial recovery workforce changes at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

Rosie Winterton: The cost of any redundancies must be borne by the trust and is reflected in the recovery plan.

University Hospital of North Staffordshire

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment has been made by (a) the Department, (b) the Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic Health Authority and (c) the University of North Staffordshire Hospital of the proportion of the hospital's increase in staffing levels since 1999 which has been necessary to meet national performance targets.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not held centrally. The assessment of how many and what mix of staff are required to deliver national health service services is a matter for the local NHS community.

University Hospital of North Staffordshire

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will publish the joint audit letter and commentary prepared by the Audit Commission and Bentley Jennison in 2005 on the financial situation and governance at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire;
	(2)  if she will publish the audit letter sent by the Audit Commission to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire in respect of its review of the hospital's statutory financial statements for the year ended 31 March 2005;
	(3)  if she will publish (a) the written audit questions asked by the Audit Commission of the statutory financial statements prepared by the University Hospital of North Staffordshire for the year ended 31 March 2005 and (b) the replies given by the hospital;
	(4)  who carried out the external audit of the accounts of the University Hospital of North Staffordshire on behalf of the Audit Commission for the year ended 31 March 2005;
	(5)  if she will ask the Audit Commission to publish its review into the financial situation of the University Hospital of North Staffordshire as a public interest report when it is completed;
	(6)  when she expects the Audit Commission to complete its review of the financial situation at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

Rosie Winterton: The questions raised fall within the Audit Commission's responsibility. I have asked the Chief Executive of the Commission to respond to my hon. Friend directly.

University Hospital of North Staffordshire

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what role she expects the board of the Shropshire and Staffordshire strategic health authority and its successor body to play in (a) approving the budget of and (b) monitoring the performance of the University hospital of North Staffordshire for the year ending 31 March 2007.

Rosie Winterton: It is the duty of strategic health authorities (SHAs) to performance manage the organisations within their area, including delivering financial balance across the SHA. The SHA board is responsible for ensuring that the duties of the SHA are delivered. The board can decide how best to deliver these responsibilities, including agreeing the plans for individual organisations and monitoring the organisations' delivery of their plans.

University Hospital of North Staffordshire

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the reasons are for the change in the estimated cost of the fit for the future project at the University hospital of North Staffordshire since November 2002;
	(2)  what assessment her Department has made of the full business case for fit for the future presented by the University hospital of North Staffordshire;
	(3)  what the total accumulated (a) revenue costs and (b) capitalised costs have been to (i) the University hospital of North Staffordshire and (ii)Shropshire and Staffordshire strategic health authority of the fit for the future project under the private finance initiative.

Rosie Winterton: The scheme and the full business case are currently being re-appraised by the University hospital of North Staffordshire national health service trust, to ensure that all investments are affordable and sustainable in the long term. The full business case was drafted initially in the autumn but was not approved by either Shropshire and Staffordshire strategic health authority (SHA) or the Department because of the trust's financial situation.
	The team at the trust has been refining its plans for the scheme and will be working closely with officials in the coming weeks to develop a sustainable and affordable solution to meet the health needs of people in North Staffordshire.
	The SHA reports that almost all of the cost increase is construction cost inflation. Cost parameters have been kept to but the cost of the project rises with inflation. Construction inflation is rising considerably more than inflation in the general economy, which creates cost pressures on the project through higher unitary payments.
	The total accumulated revenue costs are 10.4 million. 11.8 million capital funding has been issued, of which 8.9 million has been spent.
	Revenue expenditure is entirely by the NHS trust. Capital expenditure is from the strategic capital allocation but incurred by the NHS trust.

University Hospital of North Staffordshire

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what financial estimates have been made by (a) the Department, (b) the hospital, (c) Bentley Jennison, (d) Ernst and Young, (e) the financial turnaround team, (f) the Shropshire and Staffordshire health authority and (g) the Audit Commission of the inefficiencies attributable to split site working between the City General and Royal Infirmary sites at the University hospital of North Staffordshire.

Rosie Winterton: Neither the Department nor the turnaround team working with the University hospital of North Staffordshire national health service trust has made any estimate of the inefficiencies of split site working between the City General hospital and the Royal Infirmary sites.
	Information on whether the trust, Bentley Jennison, Ernst and Young, Shropshire and Staffordshire strategic health authority, or the Audit Commission have done so is not held centrally.

University Hospital of North Staffordshire

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how much is accounted for by each element which makes up the total planned savings at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire over the next two years;
	(2)  how much is accounted for by each element making up the estimated loss of service level agreement income to the University Hospital of North Staffordshire for the year ending 31 March;
	(3)  how much is accounted for by each element which makes up the estimated gap between income and expenditure at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire for the year ending 31 March 2007.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not held centrally.

University Hospital of North Staffordshire

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if she will ensure that future funding for the University hospital of North Staffordshire covers in full the financial effects of (a) the new consultants' contract, (b) the implementation of the working time directive for junior doctors, (c) agenda for change and (d) the clinical negligence scheme premium;
	(2)  what her estimate is of the difference between the costs to the University hospital of North Staffordshire of and the funding made available by the Department for (a) the new consultants' contract, (b) the implementation of the working time directive for junior doctors, (c) agenda for change and (d) the clinical negligence scheme premium;
	(3)  why the Department has not funded in full the financial effects at the University hospital of North Staffordshire of (a) the new consultants' contract, (b) the implementation of the working time directive for junior doctors, (c) agenda for change and (d) the clinical negligence scheme premium in the 200506 financial year.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not allocate funding to national health service trusts. NHS trusts, as providers of services, receive the bulk of their revenue funding from commissioning by primary care trusts (PCTs). They also receive revenue funding from the Department for medical staff education services and for research and development. In addition trusts can charge staff, visitors or patients for services provided, such as catering or provision of private patient facilities.
	Funding is allocated to PCTs on the basis of the relative needs of their populations. North Stoke PCT will receive an increase of 31 million over the current two allocation years (18.7 per cent.) and South Stoke PCT will receive an increase of 32 million over the current two allocation years (19.5 per cent.), taking its total allocation to 196 million.
	It is for PCTs in partnership with strategic health authorities and other local stakeholders to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health, tackling health inequalities and modernising services.

University Hospital of North Staffordshire

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the estimated deficits incurred by the University Hospital of North Staffordshire in the year ending 31 March 2006 attributable to the introduction of the Payment by Results policy.

Rosie Winterton: Payment by results requires commissioners to pay for activity at a fair price which is based on the same national tariff for all providers. Providers were given advance notice of the implementation of the national tariff and supported it with a transition process. It is the responsibility of providers to ensure they are sufficiently efficient that their costs are no higher than their income from the national tariff. Payment by results does not take money out of the system and has a neutral impact on the overall national health service balance sheet.

University Hospital of North Staffordshire

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the loss of income by the University Hospital of North Staffordshire in the year ending 31 March 2006 attributable to the RSA Cardiac contract loss.

Rosie Winterton: This is a matter for the local health community.
	Strategic health authorities are responsible for ensuring that their primary care trusts adopt effective collaborative arrangements for commissioning specialised services.

University Hospital of North Staffordshire

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the estimated actual income is of the University Hospital of North Staffordshire for the years ending 31 March (a) 2005, (b) 2006, (c) 2007, (d) 2008 and (e) 2009.

Rosie Winterton: Actual income in 200405 for University Hospital of North Staffordshire National Health Service Trust was 295,327,000. Details of the trust's income for 200506 will be available later in the year. Estimated income for future years is not held centrally.
	Income includes income from activities and other operating income from the audited summarisation schedules for the trust.

University Hospital of North Staffordshire

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who at the Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic Health Authority (a) had prior sight of and (b) approved the issue of the Service and Financial Recovery Workforce Changes Consultation Document issued by the University Hospital of North Staffordshire.

Rosie Winterton: This is a matter for Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic Health Authority.

University Hospital of North Staffordshire

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Service and Financial Recovery Plan for the University Hospital of North Staffordshire was (a) considered and (b) approved by the Board of the Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic Health Authority.

Rosie Winterton: This is a matter for Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic Health Authority.

University Hospital of North Staffordshire

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the projected deficit at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire for the year ending 31 March 2006 was in (a) its monthly financial monitoring returns to her Department and (b) financial returns made to her Department by the Shropshire and Staffordshire Strategic Health Authority in each month since April 2005.

Rosie Winterton: Strategic health authorities (SHAs) are responsible for monitoring the financial position of their national health service organisations. SHAs submit the financial position of their NHS organisations to the Department on a monthly basis.
	The 200506 month six forecast outturn position for individual NHS organisations (SHAs, primary care trusts and NHS) is available in the Library and is also available on the Department's website at: www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/FreedomOfInformation/ClassesOfInformation/fs/en

University Hospital of North Staffordshire

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the date of appointment was of each executive and non-executive director of the University hospital of North Staffordshire.

Rosie Winterton: Executive appointments are a matter for the specific national health service trust concerned.
	Since 1 April 2001, the Secretary of State has delegated appointments functions relating to the appointment of chairs and non-executive members of NHS trusts, health authorities and primary care trusts to the NHS Appointments Commission. All non-executive appointments to the boards of these bodies are now made by the commission rather than by the Secretary of State.

Urgent Care Centres

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many urgent care centres have intensive care beds;
	(2)  how many urgent care centres there are in England; and how many were previously general hospital accident and emergency departments.

Liam Byrne: Intensive care is not a service an urgent care centre would provide. Major accident and emergency departments, which take severely ill or injured patients, are always attached to hospitals that have critical care services. Urgent care describes a service offering care for injury or illness that is not immediately life threatening.
	Information is not collected centrally on numbers of urgent care centres or whether any of these were previously major accident and emergency departments.

Voluntary and Community Groups

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the impact on health and social care voluntary and community groups of the delay in announcing grant allocations for 200607.

Liam Byrne: The Department recognises the implications of the delay in notifying voluntary and community organisations of the result in their Section 64 applications. These organisations have been regularly informed of the situation by e-mail and telephone for those organisations that have directly contacted the Department.

Waiting Times

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the mean waiting time was for an (a) out-patient and (b) in-patient appointment in each year since 1997; and what the mean waiting times in each category were in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Jane Kennedy: The mean and median waiting times are shown in the table.
	
		Estimated average waiting times, all specialties, 1997 to 2005, England, commissioner based
		
			  Weeks 
			 Quarter ended Mean wait Median wait 
		
		
			 Out-patients(66)   
			 June 1997 9.0 6.3 
			 March 1998 9.5 6.4 
			 March 1999 10.5 7.0 
			 March 2000 11.7 7.7 
			 March 2001 10.9 7.5 
			 March 2002 11.1 7.6 
			 March 2003 9.0 7.4 
			 March 2004 8.5 7.1 
			 March 2005 7.5 7.0 
			 December 2005 6.9 6.6 
			
			 In-patients(67)   
			 March 1997 18.1 13.2 
			 March 1998 20.0 14.9 
			 March 1999 18.6 12.9 
			 March 2000 18.7 12.9 
			 March 2001 18.1 12.6 
			 March 2002 17.4 12.7 
			 March 2003 15.6 11.9 
			 March 2004 12.4 10.2 
			 March 2005 10.6 8.5 
			 December 2005 8.8 7.6 
		
	
	(66)Average time waited from general practitioner written referral to first out-patient appointment.
	(67)Average waiting time for elective admission.
	Note:
	Commissioner based out-patient data were first collected in June 1997.
	Source:
	Department of Health forms QM08R and QF01.

Waiting Times

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting time was for an appointment to see a general practitioner in (a) the constituency of Ruislip-Northwood, (b) the London borough of Hillingdon and (c) Greater London in each year since 1997.

Jane Kennedy: This information is not collected centrally. Figures for the percentage of patients offered a first appointment with a general practitioner within two working days by London strategic health authorities and primary care trusts (PCT) for June 2002 to February 2006 has been placed in the Library.
	Since 2001, the Department has collected information from PCTs on whether patients are being offered the opportunity to be seen by a GP or a primary care professional within the target timeframes specified in The NHS Plan. It does not however collect information on actual waiting times.
	From April 2004, access to a GP or primary care professional at a local national health service walk-in centre may count towards the 2448 hour primary care access target, but only for practices that have an agreement with an NHS walk-in centre, which offer GP or primary care professional services, that includes referring and/or diverting practice patients.

Watford General Hospital

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the progress of the proposed private finance initiative redevelopment of Watford general hospital.

Rosie Winterton: The development of the new acute hospital for West Hertfordshire adjacent to the site of the current Watford general hospital is currently progressing through the Department's business case process.
	Following publication of The NHS in England: the operating framework for 2006/7 on 26 January, the trust will now need to revalidate the approval parameters for the scheme by responding to a range of questions from the Department concerning factors such as long-term affordability, assumptions on efficiency gains and income growth, liquidity, activity shift and reference cost. The trust will then need to have its conclusions ratified by the Department before proceeding. Departmental officials will shortly be writing to all trusts with private finance initiative schemes explaining how this process will proceed.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Accession State Workers

Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what grants have been given to local authorities to deal with matters related to accession state workers; and for what purposes the grants have been given.

Tony McNulty: Grants supported by the Home Office under the joint Treasury and Cabinet Office Invest to Save initiative that impact in whole or in part on nationals of EU accession states have been awarded to local authorities in Barnsley, Crewe and Westminster. Grants have been given for the following projects:
	Barnsley: A multi-agency project to research, formulate and implement a corporate integration strategy for refugees and migrant workers, including a new arrivals handbook and a reference guide for front line service delivery staff.
	Crewe: Support for the Changing Community in Crewe, a project that aims to co-ordinate an improved response to the needs of the migrant worker population and reduce the stress to service providers at district and county level.
	Westminster: A project that seeks to reduce the number of accession state nationals sleeping rough, to discourage individuals who are ill-prepared for economic migration and to assist them to return home and to provide economic migrants with support into employment.

Alcohol-related Crime (Wirral, West)

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many alcohol-related crimes were recorded in Wirral, West in each of the last 12 months.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not collected centrally. It is not possible from the recorded crime statistics to identify those offences which are alcohol related.

Antisocial Behaviour

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of local authorities have antisocial behaviour officers.

Hazel Blears: All of the 351 Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnerships (CDRP) in England and 22 Community Safety Partnerships (CSP) in Wales have responded positively to our seed funding for Antisocial Behaviour Co-ordinators in each CDRP area. Many areas have now gone further and are using funding from a range of sources to establish and support antisocial behaviour teams. Findings from the Antisocial Behaviour Unit's second national survey of CDRPs in 2005 indicated that 60 per cent. of those CDRPs who responded had more staff than a year ago.

Arrest Statistics

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many drink-driving arrests there have been in (a) Romford and (b) Havering in each of the past 10 years;
	(2)  how many non-UK citizens have been arrested for sexual misconduct in each of the last eight years in (a) Romford, (b) Havering and (c) England and Wales;
	(3)  how many arrests have been made following raids on nightclubs in (a) London, (b) Havering and (c) England and Wales in each of the last seven years.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is not available centrally.

Asylum Seekers

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints of racism by removal centre employees his Department received from detained asylum seekers in each of the last five years.

Tony McNulty: The total number of complaints of racism made against all contracted staff, including those employed in removal centres can be found in the Complaints Audit Committee reports on the Immigration and Nationality Directorate website. However, information on the number of complaints of racism made by detained asylum seekers against removal centre employees is not readily available except on examination of Immigration and Nationality Directorate case files at disproportionate cost.

Asylum Seekers

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of the number of asylum seekers resident in (a) the constituency of Clwyd, West, (b) the county borough of Conwy and (c) the county of Denbighshire whose applications have not yet been determined.

Tony McNulty: Data for the numbers of asylum seekers whose applications have not yet been determined are not available by region and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Asylum Seekers

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for theHome Department how many failed asylum seekers left the UK in (a) January and (b) February under the pilot voluntary assisted return and reintegration programme.

Tony McNulty: In order to be eligible for return under VARRP (Voluntary Assisted Return and Reintegration Programmes) the applicant must have either a current asylum application awaiting consideration or they must be a failed asylum seeker.
	The number of people who left the UK under VARRP in January was 318 and in February 452.

Asylum Seekers

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many failed asylum seekers, who had exhausted all appeals, absconded prior to deportation in 2005.

Tony McNulty: Information on the number of failed asylum seekers who having exhausted all appeals, absconded prior to deportation in 2005 is not readily available. This information could only be obtained by examination of individual case files at disproportionate cost.

Asylum Seekers

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether an asylum seeker who has made a voluntary return and who later returned to the UK has the right to make a further claim for asylum.

Tony McNulty: Where the person's original claim was refused and the further submissions they make on return to the United Kingdom do not satisfy us they are a refugee and contain nothing that is both new and creates a realistic prospect of success we will not regard it as a fresh asylum claim and may remove the person with no in country right of appeal. Even if we accept the further submissions amount to a fresh asylum claim there are provisions to prevent any appeal against refusal of that claim where there is no satisfactory reason why the details of the new claim were not provided earlier, or to prevent any in country appeal where we consider the claim to be clearly unfounded.
	In assessing the claims made by those who have previously returned voluntarily we will take appropriate account of that return when assessing the merits of their present claim to fear persecution in their country of origin.

Asylum Seekers

Nick Hurd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers with a criminal record have been given indefinite leave to remain in (a) the last 12 months and (b) the last five years.

Tony McNulty: Applications for asylum can be refused where a person has committed a serious non-political crime outside the UK or has committed a particularly serious crime in or outside the UK. Information about any criminal record is held on the individual case records but is not collated centrally: the total number of asylum seekers with criminal records who have been granted indefinite leave to remain, therefore, is not available and could be calculated only at disproportionate cost.

Bad Character Evidence

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Department has made of the impact on criminal proceedings of the provisions governing the admission of bad character evidence in the Criminal Justice Act 2003.

Fiona Mactaggart: We have commissioned a research project to assess the impact on the courts of the bad character provisions of the Criminal Justice Act 2003. The researchers are due to complete their work by the end of 2006.

Bail

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of (a) male and (b) female defendants in England and Wales charged with (i) summary only (ii) triable either way and (iii) indictable only matters in the latest year for which figures are available (A) received police bail, (B) did not receive police bail but subsequently received court bail and (C) remained in custody pending resolution of their case.

Fiona Mactaggart: The table shows figures for police bail decisions in 2004 with a further breakdown of the magistrates court bail decision for those arrested and held in custody. The remand data received by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform are often incomplete and custodial remands are believed to be under-recorded. The figures are estimates for England and Wales based on those areas providing reasonably complete data. Due to the poor quality of the data we are unable to present separate figures for triable either way and indictable only offences.
	
		Persons directed to appear at magistrates courts by type of offence, how directed to appear and subsequent court bail decision, 2004
		
			 Percentage 
			  Indictable(68) Summary All offences 
			  Male Female All Male Female All Male Female All 
		
		
			 Summoned 10 12 10 73 84 75 57 69 59 
			 Arrested and bailed 73 74 73 24 15 22 36 28 35 
			 Arrested and held in custody 18 14 17 3 1 2 7 4 6 
			 Who then received the following magistrates court bail decision:  
			 Remanded in custody 5 2 4 0 0 0 1 1 1 
			 Remanded on bail(69) 7 6 7 1 0 1 3 2 2 
			 Not remanded 7 5 6 1 1 1 3 2 2 
			 Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 
		
	
	(68) Including triable either way offences.
	(69) Including those remanded for part of the time in custody and part on bail.

Biometric Data

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what health and safety studies have been carried out on the long-term effects of iris scans conducted as part of biometric data collection.

Andy Burnham: It is envisaged that iris scans for the National Identity Register will be recorded on application to register and then once every 10 years as individuals renew their passport and/or identity card.
	The Identity Cards Programme has sought advice with regard to the health and safety aspects of iris scanning. This advice suggests that no long term effects arise from iris scanning as planned by the Identity Card Scheme. For instance, the amount of infrared light that iris scanners emit is very small and is of a level far smaller than many everyday appliances, such as desk lamps.
	In addition, iris cameras for consumer use require CE health and safety certification before they can be sold. Thus, such technologies are tested against agreed EU health and safety standards.
	As part of the implementation of the Identity Cards Programme, the Identity Cards Scheme will be designed to comply with all relevant health and safety standards.

Biometric Data

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to page 10, point 1.2.2.3, first bullet point of the UKPS Biometrics Enrolment Trial, what percentage of (a) all participants and (b) disabled people were (i) not very and (ii) not at all concerned about having their biometrics recorded prior to enrolment, broken down by type of biometric.

Andy Burnham: The percentage of participants who were not very or not all concerned about having their biometrics recorded prior to enrolments is shown in the following table, broken down by type of biometric.
	
		
			  Iris image Facial image Fingerprint 
		
		
			 Quota sample(70) 90 91 91 
			 Opportunistic sample(71) 87 91 90 
			 Disabled sample 84 90 89 
		
	
	(70) Representative cross-section of the UK population.
	(71) Self-selected participants

British Nationality Act

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have had British citizenship removed under section 40(2) of the British Nationality Act 1981 and its subsequent amendments.

Tony McNulty: I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I gave to a similar question on 27 February 2006, Official Report, column 76W.

British Transport Police

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the possible amalgamations of the British Transport police with other forces; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: As the hon. Gentleman will be aware, the Department for Transport are currently undertaking a review of the British Transport police. As such, it would be inappropriate for me to make a statement on this matter until the review has reported its findings.

Business Crime

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps his Department is taking to reduce crime against business in the North-East.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office has previously funded Business Crime Reduction Advisors (BCRAs) in each of the Regional Government Offices. In the north-east the BCRA has been instrumental in the promotion of effective partnership working between local businesses, local authorities and local police forces. This work has led to a number of partnerships being accredited with the Safer Business Award.
	Much work has also been done to provide crime prevention advice and support for businesses in the north-east, and we are grateful to organisations such as Business Link for their continued help in disseminating this information.
	In Hartlepool, the BCRA has worked closely with the town centre shopwatch partnership (Hartlepool Crime Net) to help them achieve accredited status. He has also worked with the local council, Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership and police crime reduction officers on a range of issues, including the reduction of crime committed on industrial estates.

Carlile Report

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the Carlile Report on the use of restraint and isolation in secure training centres.

Fiona Mactaggart: My colleague, Baroness Scotland, met Lord Carlile, on 29 March to discuss his report. The Home Office and the Youth Justice Board are looking at the recommendations in the report. We will announce in due course any action we propose to take in relation to them.

Clean Up Week

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many offenders will be participating in 'Clean Up Week' 2006.

Fiona Mactaggart: As part of the year-round, nationwide Community Payback scheme, Clean Up Week aims to give communities a greater say in the kind of work offenders undertaking unpaid work do. Through this the objective is to increase the involvement of communities in criminal justice activities.
	As such, although Clean Up Week did not involve members of the public voting for projects in all probation areas, it is hoped that interest in Community Payback will be stimulated nationwide. And of course in all probation areas offenders will continue to do unpaid work which benefits their communities, as they do every week.
	In the eight Clean Up Week areas, projects vary in size and numbers of offenders working on them: from seven offenders for one day this week (and seven or eight every week until the project is complete) on the winning project in Warwickshire; to 90 offenders across the week on the winning project in Manchester. In Norfolk, since the projects (and votes) were spread out across the county, probation staff decided to go ahead with all five nominated projects, so approximately 250 offenders will take part.
	So across the eight probation areas taking part in Clean Up Week, around 486 offenders will be taking part in projects that were voted for by members of the public. But across the country as a whole, thousands more offenders will be doing work which has been suggested by members of local communities and which benefits them.

Clean Up Week

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the likely effects of Clean Up Week 2006 in Romford and Havering.

Fiona Mactaggart: Romford and Havering were not part of one of the Clean Up Week areas this year. The Probation Areas taking part (Avon and Somerset, Manchester, Leicestershire and Rutland, Humberside, Norfolk, South Wales, Teesside and Warwickshire) were chosen in consultation with the Communication Managers in local probation areas.
	However, in Romford and Havering offenders continue to undertake a range of unpaid work this week, as in any other. Local Probation staff estimate that around 50 offenders will attend every weekday, and up to 120 per day at weekends. These offenders will do a range of tasks which benefit the communities of Romford and Havering. During the week much of the work takes place in community centres, where offenders will help permanent staff and do repair and decorating work. Or the work will take place outside, where they will clear overgrown footpaths or clean graffiti. On housing estates they will clear communal areas. Meanwhile at weekends much of the work takes place in schools: painting, decorating and cleaning. Through this work people who have offended can pay back and provide benefits to the community.

Correspondence

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Hornsey and Wood Green of 7 November 2005 to regarding a constituent Mr. Hasan Gun (Home Office reference G306739).

Tony McNulty: holding answer 27 February 2006
	The Director General of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to the hon. Lady on 31 March.

Correspondence

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to the letter of 15 February 2006 from the hon. Member for Walsall, North concerning a constituent, ref M4153/6.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 23 March 2006
	I wrote to my hon. Friend on 31 March 2006.

Correspondence

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will reply to the letters from the hon. Member for Hartlepool of 29 September 2005, 20 December 2005 and 6 March 2006 regarding the status of the case of Mrs. Brigitte Rowell (Reference P1046572).

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate wrote to my hon. Friend on 24 March 2006.

Correspondence

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Minister of State for Crime, Security and Communities expects to reply to the letter from the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight of 15 February on the Bichard report.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 27 March 2006
	I will be writing to the hon. Member very shortly with a full response to his letter of 15 February 2006.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  when he will reply to the letter dated 13 February from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mr. Wasim Buksh;
	(2)  when he will reply to the letter dated 13 February from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Mr. D. Tekele.

Charles Clarke: I wrote to my right hon. Friend on 30 March 2006.

Correspondence

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Warley of 5 December on behalf of Mr. Naim Urshini, Waterloo Road, Smethwick.

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate replied to my right hon. Friend on 4 April 2006.

Correspondence

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the Immigration and Nationality Directorate will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Warley of 9 January on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Bent, 77 Albright Road, Oldbury.

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Nationality Directorate replied to my right hon. Friend on 4 April 2006.

Covert Surveillance (Prisons)

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what conclusions were drawn by the study by the Office of Surveillance Commissioners on covert human intelligence sources in London prisons; what plans the Government have to respond to the issues arising from the study; and if he will place the report in the Library.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Office of the Surveillance Commissioners (OSC) concluded that the Prison Service required more robust procedures and policies for covert human intelligence sources identification and management. An action plan is being implemented.
	OSC inspection reports are written for the public authority that has been inspected. It is not standard practice to share findings widely. A copy of the report will not be placed in the Library.

Criminal Law Revision Committee

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with the Criminal Law Revision Committee on the issue of anonymity for the accused prior to conviction in sex offence cases.

Paul Goggins: The work of the Criminal Law Revision Committee has been superseded by the Law Commission. The Home Secretary has had no recent discussions with the Law Commission about anonymity for the accused prior to conviction in sex offence cases.

Criminal Records

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of (a) adult males and (b) adult females in England and Wales has a criminal record.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information which has been requested is not routinely produced.
	Figures on the proportions of the population with a criminal history can be found in 'criminal careers of those born between 1953 and 1978' at: www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs/hosb401.pdf. This publication focuses on samples of those born in particular years (1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973 and 1978) to estimate the percentage of the population with a criminal history. Table 1 of the publication shows that by the age of 45, 33 per cent. of males and nine per cent. of females born in 1953 had a criminal record relating to offences on the standard list

Data Protection

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what level of security clearance is required for personnel with access to the Eurodac computer.

Tony McNulty: The Eurodac Central Unit database is accessed via the Immigration and Nationality Directorate Automated Fingerprint Identification (APIS) system. This is an accredited system, ie it has been approved for use in security terms and fits with the Government secure systems, therefore personnel are required to have Basic Enhanced Checks (BC(E)) clearance to access the database.

Data Protection

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations the Government have made to the EU about the level of access to visa information service data proposed for the UK.

Tony McNulty: UK officials attend various EU Council Working Groups in which the Visa Information System (VIS) is discussed, the main one of which is the Visa Working Group. UK officials have also met separately with EU Commission representatives to discuss the UK's access to elements of VIS data.

Data Protection

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what costs have been incurred to date to ensure that UK databases will be compatible with the EU Visa Information Service.

Tony McNulty: To date, no costs have been incurred to ensure that UK databases will be compatible with the EU Visa Information System (VIS) as the form of any link between UK systems and VIS has yet to be defined.

Data Protection

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the total cost of implementing UK access to EU Visa Information Service data.

Tony McNulty: The VIS Regulation is still under negotiation in EU Council Working Groups and the European Parliament. The manner of access by the UK is yet to be determined; it is therefore not possible to estimate costs at this stage.

Data Protection

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what differences will apply to the UK's level of access to information from the EU Visa Information Service (VIS) when it is operational, and the level of access accorded to countries to which the VIS regulations apply; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The VIS Regulation is still under negotiation in EU Council Working Groups and the European Parliament. The manner of access by the UK is yet to be determined; it is therefore not possible to estimate costs at this stage.

Date Rape

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many date rape cases have been reported in each of the last 12 months; where they were reported; and what assessment he has made of the use of progesterex in cases of date rape.

Paul Goggins: The information requested in relation to the number and location of date rape cases is not collected centrally. Progesterex does not exist. It has been the subject of a hoax e-mail which claims that progesterex, allegedly a drug used to sterilise horses, has been used in drug rape cases.

Deepcut Army Barracks

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the cost was of each forensic and other outside expert contracted to assist Surrey police in their re-opened investigation into deaths at Deepcut army barracks.

Hazel Blears: The Surrey police was responsible for the management of the investigation in to the deaths at Deepcut Barracks. I will ensure that the chief constable receives a copy of the question and replies to the hon. Member directly. Copies of the letter containing the response of Surrey police will be placed in the Library.

Departmental Estate

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of his Department's former headquarters in Queen Anne's Gate.

Harriet Harman: I have been asked to reply.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 8 December 2005, Official Report, column 1526W to the right hon. Member for Haltemprice and Howden (David Davis).

Departmental Leave (Stress)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been on sick leave suffering from stress in his Department in each of the last three years; and what percentage of the total staff number this represents.

Charles Clarke: The figures from the centrally managed Home Office and the Agencies, Identity and Passport Service, and the Public Sector Prison Service Agency, are in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of staff taking sick leave identified as stress(72) Percentage of staff taking sick leave identified as stress as proportion of total staff 
		
		
			 Home Office (including Immigration and Nationality Directorate) 
			 1 January 2005 to 31 December 05 620 (73)2.67 
			 1 January 2006 to 31 March 06 200 (74)0.81 
			  
			 Identity  Passport Service (formerly UKPS) 
			 1 January 2003 to 31 December 03 95 4.04 
			 1 January 2004 to 31 December 04 98 3.64 
			 1 January 2005 to 31 January 05 117 3.42 
			 1 January 2006 to 31 March 06 51 1.38 
			  
			 Public Sector Prison Service Agency(75) 
			 200304 3,977 8.4 
			 200405 3,751 7.7 
			 April 2005 to December 05 2,877 6.0 
		
	
	(72) Note on definitions. Stress as a unique category of sickness has only been recorded centrally by the Home Office since the move to the ADELPHI personnel system. For this reason precise data are unavailable for 200304.
	(73) Total staff as at 31 December, Headcount.
	(74) Total staff as at 31 March 2006, Headcount
	(75) There is no clear medical definition of stress and therefore figures for the Public Sector Prison Service include all conditions of a psychological nature, a large proportion of which will have a stress element. The figures in the table reflect the total number of staff in the Public Sector Prison Service who were absent due to psychological conditions at any time during the period. A number of absences straddle more than one period and are therefore included in the table twice.

Departmental Staff

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the value is of (a) pay supplements, (b) bonuses and (c) other incentive packages that are payable in his Department on the basis of geographic location; how many people are in receipt of each payment; and what the total cost to his Department of each payment was in 200405.

Charles Clarke: A total of 13,423 staff received London locational allowance payments totalling 20,529,870 in 200405. In addition, 262 staff in the London pay area had a reserved rights entitlement to local pay additions totalling 89,001. No other supplements, bonuses or other incentive packages are payable on the basis of geographic location, but the Department does have differential basic pay rates for London, Gatwick and the rest of the country.

Departmental Staff

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many jobs in his Department have been relocated to Wales since 2001.

Charles Clarke: holding answer 10 March 2006
	So far as can be determined from central records no jobs in the central Home Office and immigration and nationality directorate, and the United Kingdom Passport Agency have been relocated to Wales since 2001. There has been no movement of Public Sector Prison Service jobs to Wales since 2001. However, over the next two years work will be moved from Public Sector Prison Service headquarters and establishments and will create 480 additional posts in Wales. These posts will replace approximately 1,200 posts from across England.

DNA Database

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of (a) people and (b) juveniles who will be registered on the national DNA database by 1 January (i) 2007, (ii) 2008, (iii) 2009 and (iv) 2010; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The Home Office has produced an estimate of the projected growth in the number of individuals with a DNA profile on the National DNA Database for each year up to 2010.
	The estimate is based on a number of different subsets of data including the following: the number of people arrested by the police, the number of people convicted of an offence and the number of people cautioned for an offence in England and Wales each year. It also takes account of repeat offenders who will not require re-sampling.
	The forecast was primarily intended for internal purposes. A number of assumptions were made in producing it and it is therefore subject to a number of caveats. Home Office officials are planning to review and update it shortly.
	No long term estimates have been made of the forecast growth rates of juveniles or other age groups of persons on the database or of the growth rate for other groups of persons, for example, by gender or ethnic appearance. The estimated number of persons from England and Wales who will be recorded on the National DNA Database in each year from 2007 to 2010 are shown in the table.
	The estimates are based on the financial year from 1 April to end March.
	
		Persons on NDNAD
		
			 April Number of individuals 
		
		
			 2007 3,305,564 
			 2008 3,562,064 
			 2009 3,894,164 
			 2010 4,482,764

DNA Database

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many DNA profiles are held on the national DNA database, broken down by ethnic origin.

Andy Burnham: The information requested is not available. The national DNA database and underlying police national computer records indicate ethnic 'appearance' judged by a police officer. No information relating to self-assessed ethnicity is held on these databases. Information on ethnic appearance is available in the latest national DNA database annual report a copy of which will be put in the House Library.

DNA Database

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reason volunteers to the DNA database are not permitted subsequently to have their samples destroyed.

Andy Burnham: Samples from volunteers are destroyed unless they give written permission for them to be retained on the national DNA database.

DNA Database

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information he has collected on the percentage of the population in each (a) EU and (b) G8 country upon whom a DNA profile is held by the relevant national authority.

Andy Burnham: Information on the percentage of the population of each country that has a DNA profile held on a DNA database by the relevant national authority is available for 14 European countries and five G8 countries. It is shown in the following table. The data are the most recent figures available; they reflect the position at December 2005 for most countries listed in the table. The data for the Czech Republic, Norway, Slovenia, Spain and Canada are for differing dates earlier in 2005.
	
		Percentage of population on DNA database
		
			 Country Population Total persons on DNA database Percentage of persons on DNA database 
		
		
			 Austria 8,100,000 84,379 1.04 0.04 
			 Belgium 10,400,000 4,583  
			 Croatia 4,600,000 10,744 0.23 
			 Czech Republic 10,300,000 9,098 0.09 
			 Denmark 5,500,000 4,084 0.07 
			 Estonia 1,500,000 7,414 0.49 
			 Finland 5,200.000 32,805 0.63 
			 France 59,300,000 119,612 0.20 
			 Germany 82,400,000 366,294 0.44 
			 Hungary 10,200,000 28,278 0.28 
			 Netherlands 16,100,000 14,747 0.09 
			 Norway 4,500,000 6,745 0.15 
			 Portugall 10,300,000   
			 Slovenia 2,000,000 5,782 0.29 
			 Spain 40,400,000 2,656 0.01 
			 Sweden 9,000,000 6,115 0.07 
			 Switzerland 7,360,000 69,019 0.94 
			 United Kingdom 59,800,000 3,130,429 5.23 
			 USA 298,400,000 2,941,206 0.99 
			 Canada 32,270,500 75,138 0.23 
		
	
	(76) Portugal currently has a database for crime scene profiles only.

DNA Database

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of DNA profiles held in England and Wales relate to individuals who have been (a) convicted of a recordable offence, (b) charged with a recordable offence and (c) arrested but subsequently released without being charged, broken down by ethnic origin in each case.

Andy Burnham: No information on ethnic origin, or self-identity, is available with respect to DNA records. I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 2 March in relation to the ethnic appearance of those arrested and subsequently released without charge. Data in respect of the charge and conviction status of people represented on the national DNA database broken down by ethnic appearance are not readily available and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

DNA Database

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his policy is on the length of time a DNA (a) sample and (b) profile can be kept in respect of an individual who has (i) been convicted of a serious or sexual crime, (ii) been convicted of a recordable offence other than a serious or sexual crime and (iii) not been convicted of a recordable offence.

Andy Burnham: All DNA samples and profiles are normally retained until the individual's 100th birthday or until the notification of his/her death. This applies to all recordable offences in respect of which the sample was taken.
	Individuals whose DNA has been taken and have not been convicted of a recordable offence may, if they wish, apply to the chief constable of the force which took the DNA sample, to request, in exceptional circumstances only, that consideration be given to the destruction of the sample and removal of the profile from the national DNA database.

DNA Database

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether DNA (a) samples and (b) profiles are kept after the individuals from whom they have been taken have died.

Andy Burnham: A DNA sample is normally destroyed and the DNA profile derived from it is normally deleted from the national DNA database upon notification of the death of the individual concerned.

DNA Database

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the merits of the practice in Scotland where an individual's profile is removed from the DNA database following acquittal.

Andy Burnham: The Government have no plans to amend the law in England and Wales relating to the retention of DNA samples taken under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984. Although at present the law in Scotland does not allow for the retention of DNA samples following a person's acquittal, this is currently under review by the Scottish Executive.

DNA Database

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 2 March 2006, Official Report, column 954W, on DNA profiles, if he will break down by (a) police force area and (b) ethnic origin those who have a DNA profile on the National DNA Database and whose ethnic origin is known.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 28 March 2006
	The information requested will be placed in the Library.
	
		
			  6+1 Ethnic Appearance Rating Non-ethnic visual appearance code 
			 Force White European Dark European Afro-Caribbean Asian Oriental Arab White Non-white Total 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 296 10 65 27 3 14 16 8 439 
			 Bedfordshire 52 2 14 23   108 55 254 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,363 45 85 91 15 37 429 87 2,152 
			 Cheshire 1,447 22 15 23 3 8 5 3 1,526 
			 City of London 34 5 20 18 1  22 13 113 
			 Cleveland 571 2 9 23 7 3 17 4 636 
			 Cumbria 1,833 7 8 16 8 3 172 3 2,050 
			 Devon and Cornwall 111 11   113 
			 Derbyshire 2,526 42 115 149 10 25 40 33 2,940 
			 Dorset 1,607 36 45 43 23 29 3 2 1,788 
			 Durham 660  1 1 1 2 721 11 1,397 
			 Dyfed Powys 1,653 21 11 31 11 11 11  1,749 
			 Essex 4,320 106 346 123 45 20 551 84 5,595 
			 Gloucestershire 1,674 19 95 41 9 4 28 9 1,879 
			 GMP 6,385 94 560 814 68 115 124 11 8,171 
			 Gwent 409 5 7 6  4 5  436 
			 Hampshire 3,390 43 101 101 30 46 35 29 3,775 
			 Hertfordshire 3,484 103 352 311 34 29 46 14 4,373 
			 Humberside 22  1   3 3 4 33 
			 Kent 5,617 172 246 217 62 74 406 100 6,894 
			 Lancashire 3,933 44 67 461 15 26 235 20 4,801 
			 Leicester 1,812 50 215 480 18 51 15 30 2,671 
			 Lincolnshire 1,360 10 24 24 6 8 23 7 1,462 
			 Merseyside 130 1 2 1 1  172 7 314 
			 Met 5,366 828 4,265 1,550 493 362 4,935 6,195 23,994 
			 Norfolk 499 16 19 3 1 3 82 3 626 
			 North Wales 1,569 20 15 15 6 7 125 5 1,762 
			 North Yorkshire 1,248 9 19 21 1 5 15 2 1,320 
			 Northamptonshire 475 17 47 19   5  563 
			 Northumbria 790 8 7 13 2 5 853 40 1,718 
			 Nottinghamshire 1,217 7 77 49 4 5 215 45 1,619 
			 South Wales 1,816 14 59 56 4 18 9 4 1,980 
			 South Yorkshire 3,510 74 204 254 19 103 725 193 5,082 
			 Staffordshire 3,879 39 142 259 17 24 25 2 4,387 
			 Suffolk 92 2 4 2  1 2  103 
			 Surrey 1,429 39 118 146 37 53 6 6 1,834 
			 Sussex 3,067 72 212 177 40 63 75 16 3,722 
			 Thames Valley 178 4 35 23 2  138 50 430 
			 Warwickshire 257 3 14 20 1 2 39 2 338 
			 West Mercia 6  5  11 
			 West Midlands 5,864 148 1,355 1,778 46 175 67 35 9,468 
			 West Yorkshire 2,132 18 165 444 8 24 8 1 2,800 
			 Wiltshire 1,266 25 47 36 16 7 6 22 1,425 
			 Total 79,349 2,183 9,208 7,889 1,067 1,370 10,522 7,155 118,743 
		
	
	Note:
	5,604 Records include no ethnic appearance information. Total Records relating to people sampled on arrest but not subsequently charged or cautioned is 124,347.

Drink-driving Offences

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have been prosecuted for drink-driving offences in the county of Durham in the last three years.

Fiona Mactaggart: Data from the Court Proceedings Database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform on the number of defendants prosecuted against in Durham for drink-driving offences from 2002 to 2004 are provided in the following table.
	Data for 2005 will be available in the autumn of 2006.
	
		Defendants prosecuted at magistrates courts in Durham police force area for offences relating to drink-driving from 2002 to 2004(77)
		
			 Number 
			 Offence description 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs(78) 2 0 1 
			 Driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs (impairment) only to be used where it is unclear whether it is drink or drugssee 803/09 or 803/1 0(79) 29 26 15 
			 Driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle while having a breath, blood or urine alcohol concentration in excess of the prescribed limit(80) 917 929 994 
			 Driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle and failing to without reasonable excuse provide a specimen for a laboratory test or two specimens for analysis of breath(81) 67 78 74 
			 Being in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle while unfit to drive through drink or drugs (impairment) only to be used where it is unclear whether it is drink or drugssee 803/11 or 803/12(82) 4 8 2 
			 In charge of a motor vehicle while having a breath, blood or urine alcohol concentration in excess of the prescribed limit(83) 43 32 29 
			 In charge of a motor vehicle and failing without reasonable excuse to provide a specimen for a laboratory test or two specimens for analysis of breath(84) 2 10 11 
			 Failing without reasonable excuse to provide a specimen of breath for a preliminary test(85) 5 1 3 
			 Failing to allow specimen of blood to be subjected to laboratory test(77) 0 0 0 0 
			 Driving or attempting to drive a motor vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs (impairment) Drink(77)(5509060078) 0 0 1 
			 Being in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle while unfit to drive through drink or drugs (impairment) Drink(77)(5509060078) 0 0 3 
			 Being in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle while unfit to drive through drink or drugs (impairment) Drugs(77)(5509060078) 0 0 2 
		
	
	(77) These data are provided on the principal offence basis.
	(78) Road Traffic Act 1988 S.3A added by Road Traffic Act 1991 S.3 and amended by Criminal Justice Act 2003 S.285.
	(79) Road Traffic Act 1988 S.4(1).
	(80) Road Traffic Act 1988 Sec 5(1)(a).
	(81) Road Traffic Act 1988 Sec 7(6).
	(82) Road Traffic Act 1988 S.4(2).
	(83) Road Traffic Act 1988 Sec 5(1)(b).
	(84) Road Traffic Act 1988 Sec 7(6).
	(85) Road Traffic Act 1988 Sec 6(6).
	(86)Road Traffic Act 1988 S.7A as added by Police Reform Act 2002 S.56, S.57. Transport and Works Act 1992 S.31A as added by Police Reform Act 2002 S.58(4).
	(87) Road Traffic Act 1988 S.4(2).
	(88) Road Traffic Act 1988 S.4{2).
	(89)Road Traffic Act 1988 S.4(2).

Drugs

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children have been (a) arrested for and (b) convicted of (i) cocaine possession and (ii) the sale of cocaine in the last 12 months.

Hazel Blears: Arrest data for drug offences by drug type are not collected centrally. The available information relates to the number of persons aged 17 and under found guilty or cautioned under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 of unlawful possession, unlawful supply and possession with intent to supply offences involving cocaine during 2004.
	
		Persons aged 17 and under found guilty or cautioned for cocaine offences in England and Wales, 2004
		
			 Type of offence (91)Cautioned Found guilty 
		
		
			 Unlawful possession 56 85 
			 Unlawful supply 3 17 
			 Possession with intent to supply 4 51 
		
	
	(91) Includes reprimands and warnings for under 17s.

Drugs

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the annual cost of (a) a prison place and (b) a residential drug rehabilitation place was in the last period for which figures are available.

Fiona Mactaggart: holding answer 16 February 2006
	The average cost of a prison place in 200405 was 40,992. This is calculated including all expenditure incurred by HMPS divided by the number of prison places.
	The Home Office does not provide residential drug treatment places. The most recent data on charges for residential drug treatment provided by the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse Bedvacs service is as follows:
	
		
			   
		
		
			 Average weekly 674.10 
			 Median weekly 449.00

Drugs

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) arrests, (b) convictions and (c) cautions there were for offences relating to (i) the possession and (ii) dealing in class (A) A, (B) B and (C) C drugs in (1) Cambridgeshire police authority area and (2) the Northern division of the Cambridgeshire constabulary in each year since 1997.

Paul Goggins: Arrest data for types of drug offences by class of drug are not collected centrally. The available information relates to the number of persons found guilty and cautioned under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Figures for Cambridgeshire are shown in the tables.
	Cannabis was reclassified as a class C drug in January 2004. For the purpose of this analysis, cannabis offenders are included within the class C figures for the entire period in question.
	
		Table 1: Persons found guilty for drug possession and dealing(92) offences by class type(93), Cambridgeshire, by year
		
			  Class A Class B Class C 
			  Possession Dealing Possession Dealing Possession Dealing 
		
		
			 1997 88 19 78 32 326 79 
			 1998 127 46 86 31 317 64 
			 1999 158 45 86 31 294 76 
			 2000 118 49 68 11 206 56 
			 2001 160 73 48 10 237 37 
			 2002 157 81 33 8 237 37 
			 2003 123 178 32 11 243 33 
			 2004 114 77 28 8 (94)205 31 
		
	
	(92) Offences of unlawful supply and possession with intent to supply unlawfully.
	(93) Cannabis was reclassified to a class C drug in January 2004. For the purposes of this exercise, offences involving cannabis are considered within class C for the period under consideration.
	(94) Police formal ('street') warnings for cannabis possession were introduced in April 2004.
	
		Table 2: Persons cautioned for drug possession and dealing(95) offences by class type(96), Cambridgeshire, by year
		
			  Class A Class B Class C 
			  Possession Dealing Possession Dealing Possession Dealing 
		
		
			 1997 1 9 3 0 415 4 
			 1998 27 6 20 0 563 11 
			 1999 40 1 17 0 494 14 
			 2000 30 0 8 2 414 6 
			 2001 47 2 14 0 367 3 
			 2002 71 3 14 0 330 2 
			 2003 48 0 8 2 285 4 
			 2004 59 0 16 1 (97)221 9 
		
	
	(95) Offences of unlawful supply and possession with intent to supply unlawfully.
	(96) Cannabis was reclassified to a class C drug in January 2004. For the purposes of this exercise, offences involving cannabis are considered within class C for the period under consideration.
	(97) Excludes police formal ('street') warnings for cannabis possession, introduced in April 2004.

Illegal Immigrants

Robert Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many illegal immigrants have been (a) detained and (b) arrested by the police in the last 12 months, broken down by police force area.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Illegal Immigrants

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 27 February 2006, Official Report, column 73W, on illegal immigration, what the reasons were for the changes between 2003 and 2005.

Tony McNulty: The Immigration Service has deployed a range of initiatives to deter and detect illegal entry to the UK including moving controls overseas, enhancing juxtaposed controls in Paris, Lille, Brussels and Calais, deploying New Detection Technology in France and Belgium, enhanced visa regimes, the UK's network of Airline Liaison Officers and close co-operation with carriers, port authorities and our EU colleagues.

European Scrutiny Committee (Eurojust)

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will respond to requests from the European Scrutiny Committee to clarify his policy towards Eurojust guidelines as to which jurisdiction should prosecute; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The letter dated 26 July 2005 to the Chairman of the European Scrutiny Committee responded to the Committee's request for clarification. A duplicate copy of the letter has been forwarded to the Committee.

Family Visitor Appeals

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many family visitor appeals have been received in each of the past five years.

Bridget Prentice: I have been asked to reply.
	The volume of family visitor appeals received at the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal (AIT) and its predecessor, the Immigration Appellate Authority (IAA), over the last five business years are as follows:
	
		
			 Business year Family visitor appeal receipts 
		
		
			 200102 5,056 
			 200203 9,856 
			 200304 16,884 
			 200405 30,643 
			 200506(98) 49,738 
		
	
	(98) April to December 2005.
	Note:
	Information for the financial year 200506 is provisional.

Financial Offences (Convictions)

Patrick Cormack: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average sentence passed for those convicted of offences connected with (a) extortion, (b) intellectual property crimes, (c) money laundering, (d) smuggling and (e) oils fraud in England and Wales was over the last five years.

Fiona Mactaggart: The available information is shown in the following tables.
	
		Table 1persons sentenced for various indictable offences, those given custody and average custodial sentence length,England and Wales 200004
		
			 Offence Statute Year Numbers of persons sentenced Number sentenced to immediate custody Average custodial sentence length (months) 
		
		
			 (a) Extortion  
			 Blackmail Theft Act 1968 2000 112 77 31.9 
			   2001 110 79 44.6 
			   2002 133 97 30.9 
			   2003 126 86 31.8 
			   2004 138 106 31.7 
			   
			 (b) Intellectual property crime  
			 Copyright infringement etc Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 2000 50 5 5.4 
			   2001 50 2 5.2 
			   2002 25 2 7.5 
			   2003 48 1 4.0 
			   2004 59 13 3.6 
			 Unauthorised use of Trade Mark, falsification of register etc Trade Marks Act 1994 2000 367 42 5.7 
			   2001 326 27 7.6 
			   2002 328 23 7.2 
			   2003 402 21 8.1 
			   2004 492 71 5.0 
			 Supplying or possession for purposes of supply of video recording of unclassified work Video Recordings Act 1984 2000 168 9 3.7 
			   2001 143 8 2.4 
			   2002 134 2 9.5 
			   2003 97 4 5.0 
			   2004 86 5 5.0 
			 False trade descriptions Trade Description Act 1968 2000 346 19 6.9 
			   2001 266 11 7.5 
			   2002 227 6 4.8 
			   2003 197 11 7.4 
			   2004 173 3 5.3 
			   
			 (c) Money laundering  
			 Offences relating to drugs (concealing proceeds of drug trafficking etc, 'tipping off' and prejudicing an investigation) Drug Trafficking Act 1994 and Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 2000 27 18 38.7 
			   2001 41 31 59.7 
			   2002 40 31 45.3 
			   2003 49 39 38.9 
			   2004 28 21 30.1 
			 Offences relating other than to drugs (concealing, acquiring etc, criminal property, failure to disclose 'tipping off' etc) Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 2000 n/a n/a n/a 
			   2001 n/a n/a n/a 
			   2002 1   
			   2003 12 6 49.5 
			   2004 124 62 30.6 
			   
			 (d) Smuggling  
			 Unlawful importation or exportation of controlled drug Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 and Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 2000 1,249 1,131 66.9 
			   2001 1,643 1,533 62.3 
			   2002 1,699 1,601 58.5 
			   2003 1,151 1,089 66.7 
			   2004 1,063 1,008 71.5 
			 Fraudulent evasion of duty(not involving drugs)alcohol, tobacco etc Customs and Excise Management Act1979 2000 1,018 641 11.6 
			   2001 463 317 20.0 
			   2002 282 189 16.6 
			   2003 421 223 14.1 
			   2004 334 156 15.8 
		
	
	Principal offence basis.
	n/a = not available.
	Source:
	RDS NOMS, Home Office
	
		Table 2persons sentenced to immediate custody for oils fraud offences and average custodial sentence length, Englandand Wales 200104
		
			 Offence Statute Year Number sentenced to immediate custody Average custodial sentence length (months) 
		
		
			 (e) Oils fraud 
			 Misuse of rebated fuel and distribution of illicit fuel, importation, smuggling and laundering of fuel Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979 and Customs and Excise Management Act 1979 2001 9 16.0 
			   2002 8 14.0 
			   2003 17 14.0 
			   2004 12 15.0 
		
	
	Note:
	There will be some overlap between these figures and those shown in table 1 above under 'SmugglingFraudulent evasion of duty'.
	Source:
	HMRC

Fixed Penalty Notices

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many fixed penalty notices for traffic offences have been issued in each of the last eight years, broken down by police force area;
	(2)  how many fixed penalty notices for traffic offences have not been paid in each of the last eight years, broken down by police force area;
	(3)  how much income has been raised from fixed penalty notices relating to traffic offences in the last eight years, broken down by police force area.

Hazel Blears: Information on fixed penalty notices issued for motoring offences by offence groups and police force area can be found in the annual Home Office publication 'Offences relating to motor vehicles, England and Wales supplementary tables'Tables 20(a) to 20(c) refer. Copies are available from the Library. Data are also collected centrally on the disposal, (i.e. paid, fine registration certificate issued etc) of fixed penalty notices issued by individual police force area. However because of the time taken for the procedures for payment to be enforced the data are collected approximately nine months later than the period of issue. Tables 21(a) and 21(b) of the above publication details data by number and percentage of fixed penalty notices by result. Information on revenue generated from fixed penalty notices issued as a result of traffic offences is not available centrally.

Football Fans

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what support and protection his Department offers to English football fans travelling abroad.

Kim Howells: I have been asked to reply.
	We provide consular assistance to British football supporters travelling overseas for club or international fixtures. We work closely with the relevant football bodies, including fans' groups and authorities, law enforcement in the UK and overseas, to prepare an appropriate consular service for such games. The assistance we provide to British nationals who are in difficulty overseas may be found in Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide, which was launched by my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary on 21 March. The Guide can be found on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPagec=Pagecid=1100183245921.

Greater Manchester Police

Mark Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received on the financial situation of Greater Manchester police.

Hazel Blears: We received written representations from Manchester Police authority in response to the provisional police funding settlement announced on 5 December. These were fully taken into account in determining the final settlement that was agreed by the House on 6 February.
	I received public correspondence from one local MP in February about Greater Manchester's budget for 200607. My officials replied on 16 March to correspondence of 8 March from a councillor for Oldham metropolitan borough.

Harassment Complaints

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints of (a) bullying and (b) sexual harassment have been investigated in his Department in each of the last three years; and how many complaints have been upheld.

Charles Clarke: The following table provides details about the number of complaints of (a) bullying and (b) sexual harassment that have been investigated over the last three years together with their outcomes:
	
		
			  Complaints 
		
		
			 Home Office (excluding immigration and nationality directorate 
			 2004 Bullying: no cases. 
			  Sexual harassment: one case, not upheld. 
			   
			 2005 Bullying: five cases, these are still under investigation. 
			  Sexual harassment: no cases. 
			   
			 2006 Bullying: no cases. 
			  Sexual harassment: no cases. 
			 Immigration and nationality directorate 
			 2004 Comprehensive information is not available in the requested format and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost. 
			   
			 2005 Bullying: 26 cases of which four were upheld after investigation. 
			  Sexual harassment: two cases of which one was upheld after investigation. 
			   
			 2006 No cases to date. 
			   
			 Her Majesty's prison service  
			  Comprehensive information is not available in the requested format and could be obtained only at a disproportionate cost. 
			   
			 Identity and Passport Services(99)  
			 April 2003 to March 2004 Two complaints were made, neither were upheld 
			 April 2004 to March 2005 14 complaints were made, four were upheld. 
			 April 2005 to March 2006 Seven complaints were made, three were upheld. 
		
	
	(99) The Identity and Passport Services do not separate complaints and the response is based on total complaints made.

Hit and Run Incidents

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hit and run incidents have led to an individual being convicted in each of the last eight years, broken down by police force area.

Hazel Blears: Information on the number of hit and run incidents that have led to court proceedings is not collected centrally. Available information taken from the Court Proceedings Database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform and given in the table shows the number of offenders found guilty at all courts for the offence of 'failing to stop after an accident' under the Road Traffic Act 1988 s. 170 (4) from 1996 to 2003 (latest available). The data do not distinguish between those offences which resulted in injury from those which resulted in damage or both. 2004 data will be available at the end of March 2006.
	
		Offenders found guilty at all courts for accident offences(100) by police force area, England and Wales, 19962003(101)
		
			  Number of persons 
			 Forces 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Avon  Somerset 244 227 188 185 158 165 86 88 
			 Bedfordshire 30 47 59 68 72 66 64 62 
			 Cambridgeshire 53 78 76 79 71 50 58 69 
			 Cheshire 160 136 158 168 181 150 175 197 
			 Cleveland 54 62 51 48 40 35 46 45 
			 Cumbria 96 100 66 77 84 84 83 98 
			 Derbyshire 113 121 94 112 109 110 109 122 
			 Devon  Cornwall 128 157 109 106 91 118 139 154 
			 Dorset 93 112 97 71 68 80 57 87 
			 Durham 56 43 48 60 37 62 58 56 
			 Essex 205 232 248 222 274 276 295 302 
			 Gloucestershire 93 62 79 64 63 78 72 84 
			 Greater Manchester 421 444 447 469 442 470 465 423 
			 Hampshire 188 188 176 182 177 188 195 200 
			 Hertfordshire 120 126 108 101 127 108 136 144 
			 Humberside 150 141 127 113 107 146 126 150 
			 Kent 132 139 97 68 84 83 103 90 
			 Lancashire 185 154 150 132 125 135 93 135 
			 Leicestershire 122 124 95 104 94 108 79 105 
			 Lincolnshire 59 64 47 59 47 67 67 73 
			 London, City of 8 11 12 21 8 11 5 7 
			 Merseyside 144 174 163 83 120 151 130 210 
			 Metropolitan Police 663 613 584 558 455 418 432 383 
			 Norfolk 147 143 157 128 109 118 127 123 
			 Northamptonshire 91 95 84 69 53 24 12 55 
			 Northumbria 114 117 117 110 148 139 146 141 
			 North Yorkshire 126 137 113 117 85 111 108 101 
			 Nottinghamshire 144 151 165 124 142 130 127 142 
			 South Yorkshire 142 153 153 152 184 197 169 197 
			 Staffordshire 175 148 116 69 37 71 72 103 
			 Suffolk 72 96 79 65 53 88 64 81 
			 Surrey 65 56 65 134 91 104 75 84 
			 Sussex 181 187 153 147 127 96 86 103 
			 Thames Valley 243 167 135 142 114 170 174 144 
			 Warwickshire 78 57 57 64 61 61 48 55 
			 West Mercia 149 160 141 166 131 167 203 205 
			 West Midlands 471 447 462 434 418 385 406 361 
			 West Yorkshire 270 266 292 282 261 282 279 243 
			 Wiltshire 64 67 71 53 59 81 73 66 
			 Dyfed Powys 49 61 46 44 56 46 48 54 
			 Gwent 37 57 72 56 63 53 46 46 
			 North Wales 74 97 109 92 67 76 103 88 
			 South Wales 178 157 172 154 150 136 152 161 
			 Total 6,387 6,374 6,038 5,752 5,443 5,694 5,591 5,837 
		
	
	(100) Aiding, abetting, causing or permitting accident offences under the RTA88 s. 170(4).
	(101) These data are on the principal offence basis.

Home Curfews

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department for what reasons his Department extended the home detention curfew scheme in April 2003; what assessment he has made of its effect; and what plans he has for further extension.

Fiona Mactaggart: On 10 April 2003 the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department announced two changes to the Home Detention Curfew scheme which took effect from 14 July 2003. Firstly, the maximum period a prisoner may spend on HDC was increased from 90 days to 135 days and secondly, in order to maintain public confidence in the scheme, prisoners serving sentences for certain serious offences considered to be of particular concern to the public were to be presumed unsuitable for HDC unless there were exceptional circumstances.
	The maximum curfew period was increased in order to build on the scheme's previous success by providing earlier resettlement opportunities for lower risk offenders. Although not its primary purpose, this measure also helped to deal with pressures on the prison population. HDC has helped in providing prisoners with a smoother and more effective re-integration back into the community. The scheme provides suitable, low risk, prisoners with the opportunity to rejoin employment, training and their families at an earlier stage while providing protection to the public. Since its introduction in 1999, 85 per cent. of those released on HDC have completed their curfew period successfully.
	4 per cent. have been reported as having re-offended during the curfew period. The scheme is kept under careful review but there are presently no plans to extend the scheme further.

Home Curfews

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what processes are in place to inform prisoners of reasons why home detention curfews are refused; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: Prisoners who are statutorily eligible for release under the home detention curfew scheme but, following an assessment of suitability, are refused release, are informed in writing of the reasons for refusal, their right of appeal, their right to see the disclosable reports and other documentation upon which the decision was based, and their right to make oral or written representations to the Governor dealing with the appeal.
	Prisoners who are presumed unsuitable for HDC due to the nature of their offences are informed in writing as soon as possible after sentence that, unless there are exceptional circumstances, they will not be released on HDC. If such prisoners consider that their case is exceptional they must draw this to the Governor's attention giving full details. Where the Governor considers that the case is not exceptional the prisoner may appeal against the decision.
	Further details of the refusal notification procedures are set out in Prison Service Order 6700 (Home Detention Curfew) as amended. Statutorily eligible prisoners who are refused HDC have a right to appeal against the decision under the Prisoners' Request and Complaints Procedures. Further details of these procedures are contained in Prison Service Order 2510. Both PSOs are available on the HM Prison Service website.

Identity Cards

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has undertaken a privacy impact assessment of the proposed national identity scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The Government have carefully considered the privacy implications of the national identity scheme. The national identity register will hold only that information which is listed in Schedule 1 of the Identity Cards Act 2006. A significant amount of the information listed in Schedule 1 is already held on the passport database. For example, most of the information contained within paragraphs one, five and seven are held on the passport database which is administered by the Identity and Passport Service. Additionally, the information and personal reference numbers contained in paragraphs three and four are either allocated by a Government Department, or in the case of documents issued overseas, are generally recorded by a Government Department, usually the Immigration Service. The national identity register will hold much less information than databases that are administered by various private companies, for example credit card issuers and supermarket loyalty schemes. The Identity Cards Act ensures that personal reference numbers which would tend to reveal sensitive personal data cannot be held on the register. The PNC number for example, could not be added to the register as this could suggest that the individual had been of interest to the police, or that the individual had a criminal record.
	In addition to the safeguards in the Data Protection Act with which the scheme will comply, the Act also provides additional safeguards. Information will be disclosed only with consent under Section 12 of the Act, or via strictly controlled statutory procedures set out in Sections 1721 of the Act. The individual will be able to view the 'audit log' information, set out in paragraph 9 of Schedule 1, through which they can view each occasion on which information has been disclosed from their record. A function of the national identity scheme commissioner set out at Section 22, will be to keep under review the extent to which the arrangements of the scheme make appropriate provision for securing the confidentiality of the information stored in the register.

Identity Cards

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make it his policy to impose a duty on the National Identity Scheme Commissioner to investigate and resolve problems with identity cards experienced by individuals; and if he will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The Identity and Passport Service operates a complaints system which individuals will be able to access in order to resolve any problems they may experience with identity cards. In addition, section 22 of the Identity Cards Act 2006, ensures that the commissioner must keep under review the extent to which arrangements made by the Secretary of State make appropriate provision for dealing with complaints. There is nothing in the Identity Cards Act that would either prevent individuals from making the commissioner aware of their complaints, or the commissioner from taking an interest in a complaint that had been brought to his attention.

Identity Cards

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of his reply to the letter from Dr. Brian Gladman of 9 February on identity cards.

Andy Burnham: A reply to Dr. Brian Gladman's letter was sent on the 27 of March 2006. However, it is not normal practice to place copies of correspondence with members of the public in the Library of the House.

Identity Cards

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost of instituting (a) voluntary and (b) mandatory identity cards until 2011.

Andy Burnham: The latest cost estimates are set out in the Regulatory Impact Assessment which was published in May 2005. The current best estimate for the average annual operating costs of issuing passports and identity cards to British Citizens is 584 million per annum. Section 37 of the Identity Cards Act 2006 sets out that a report detailing estimated expenditure must be placed before Parliament every six months. The first report is due by 30 September 2006.

Identity Cards

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the final date is expected to be for an individual to renew his or her passport without compulsory entry on the Identity Cards Register.

Andy Burnham: The final date for an individual to renew their passport without registration of the individual's details on the National Identity Register will depend on the date from which passports become designated documents under secondary legislation.
	No final decision has been taken with regard a specific date at present as this will be influenced by information arising from the procurement process.

Identity Fraud

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received in the last 12 months on identity fraud and theft.

Andy Burnham: Between 1 March 2005 and 28 February 2006 my ministerial colleagues, hon. Members and members of the public made 108 representations on identity theft and identity fraud. The Home Office led Identity Fraud Steering Committee (IFSC), a collaboration between UK financial bodies, Government and the police implements effective measures that would help to combat the threat of identity fraud including those raised by victims of this type of crime.
	The Government welcome the setting up of an all-party group on identity fraud. Last year I launched an IFSC campaign to raise awareness of identity crime to help people protect themselves against identity fraud, what to do if it happens to them and where to get further help. The website www.identitytheft.org.uk provides details of the leaflet that was distributed via police stations, Citizen Advice Bureaux, main libraries, UK Passport Service and DVLA offices in September 2005. I have also provided copies of the leaflet for hon. Members to pass on to their constituents.

Identity Fraud

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people have reported incidents of identity fraud and theft in each of the last 10 years.

Andy Burnham: Offences of identity fraud and theft cannot be separately identified in the recorded crime series therefore the information requested is not available centrally.

Identity Fraud

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for theHome Department what support and advice hisDepartment offers to victims of identity fraud and theft.

Andy Burnham: The Identity Fraud Steering Committee (IFSC) was established to lead a cross public-private sector work programme to tackle identity fraud.
	The IFSC was responsible for the production of a websitewww.identitytheft.org.ukwhich explains how to keep personal information safe, how to get help if one is the victim of identity theft, and what is being done to tackle this growing crime. This information has now been put into a leaflet which I launched last year. The leaflet provides the public with a quick and easy guide on things to look out for that indicate that they may be at risk of becoming a victim of identity theft or fraud, or that they are already a victim. The leaflet has been distributed to main police stations, public libraries, Citizens Advice Bureaux, Identity and Passport Service regional offices and local DVLA offices. An online version can be found on the identity theft website. The leaflet has also been taken on and co-branded by a number of organisations such as banks and credit reference agencies who have made it available to their customers.
	More generally, the Home Office provides the voluntary organisation, Victim Support with a substantial grant to offer help to people who find themselves in the unfortunate position of being a victim of crime.

Identity Fraud

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people in Wirral, West constituency have reported crimes involving identity fraud in each of the last 12 months; and what sums were involved.

Andy Burnham: Offences of identity fraud cannot be separately identified in the recorded crime series therefore the information requested is not available centrally.

Immigration and Asylum Act

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 16 January 2006, Official Report, column 1102W, on asylum/immigration, whether any individuals have been removed under section 10(8) of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

Tony McNulty: Section 10(8) provides that the setting of removal directions invalidate any leave to enter or remain in the UK given to a person before the directions are made or while they are in force. Information on removals is published annually in the regular control of immigration statistics, available on the Home Office RDS website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his assessment is of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate's website; and how many days it was inaccessible in the last year for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: While not inaccessible, the Immigration and Nationality Directorate website has been performing slowly. Hardware and software failures due to unseen increased demand have caused delays. A significant amount of work is currently being undertaken to improve the service of the website. The Home Office has approved the purchase of a new hardware platform and the implementation of a new site management tool. The rollout of these technical solutions will noticeably improve the performance rate of the website. This is scheduled for completion by 15 April 2006.

Immigration and Nationality Directorate

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Immigration andNationality Directorate; what the operating cost of the Directorate has been for the past 12 months for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The Government's Five Year Strategy for Immigration and Nationality (Cm 6472, February 2005) includes many initiatives which will improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the Immigration and Nationality Directorate. These include:
	Developing plans for biometrics, including biometric visas, biometric residence permits, passports and ID cards to improve security at and within our borders. In parallel with the introduction of biometric visas overseas, biometrics will be added to travel documents issued for asylum seekers.
	Project Semaphore, the working prototype for the e-borders programme, will be extended to increase the collection of passenger data up to 30 million passengers per annum. It will focus on routes of specific interest to the border control agencies in order to deliver early operational benefits in advance of e-borders during 2008.
	Continuing to work on the points-based system to ensure that the migration system works to the benefit of the UK by setting out a detailed system blueprint, changing the criteria of the highly skilled migrants programme as part of the phased implementation of the new system, and implementing a system for non-attending students.
	Fully implementing the new asylum model, expected to be achieved by the end of 2006. Improving the contact we have with asylum applicants throughout the process so that we are able to remove swiftly those whose applications fail. This will be delivered through use of new contact management technologies and linking reporting requirements to payment of support.
	Rolling out for settlement applicants who have limited formal educational opportunities specially developed language with citizenship courses, successful completion of which will enable them to qualify for settlement and ultimately citizenship without the need for a further test.
	Developing an action plan for combating human trafficking covering:
	prevention and demand reduction; investigation and prosecution of traffickers; and protection and support for victims.
	Implementing new accommodation contracts to improve cohesion in the communities to which asylum seekers are dispersed, and achieve further savings on asylum support costs.
	The published resource accounts for 200405 show net total expenditure for IND of 1690 million.

Immigration Detention (Children)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received on the detaining of children in immigration detention centres.

Tony McNulty: Both I and my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary have recently met the Children's Commissioner. Our discussions covered a number of issues including the detention of children. In addition, I recently met representatives of Save the Children. This meeting was a follow-up to a meeting held last year to discuss the Save the Children report No Place for a Child.

Immigration Detention (Children)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many children are being held in detention for immigration purposes, broken down by age.

Tony McNulty: The latest published information pertains to persons detained as at 31 December 2005. The accompanying table shows the number of persons detained solely under Immigration Act powers as at 31 December 2005 recorded as being under 18, broken down by age. Information on the number of persons detained, broken down by those who are under 18 years of age, are published in the Quarterly Asylum Bulletin, on the Home Office Research Development and Statistics Directorate website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html
	
		Minors recorded as being held in detention (excluding Oakington) in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers, as at 31 December 2005(102)
		
			  of whom: 
			  Age of person as at 31 December 2005 
			 Total minors(103) Under five Five to 11 12 to 16(103) 17(103) 
		
		
			 30 10 15 5 * 
		
	
	(102) Figures rounded to the nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2, may not sum due to rounding and exclude those whose parent(s) are detained under both criminal and immigration powers.
	(103) People in detention recorded as being under 18 as at 31 December 2005. Figures are likely to overstate because applicants aged 18 or over may claim to be younger on arrival in the United Kingdom.

Immigration Detention (Children)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average time a child was detained for immigration purposes in a detention centre in the latest period for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: Period statistics covering those leaving from detention during July to September 2005 has been published. Statistics on the total number of persons under 18 years of age at the time of leaving detention during this period, broken down by length of detention are published in the Quarterly Asylum bulletin. Published editions of this bulletin and other information on immigration and asylum are available on the Home Office's Research Development and Statistics website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html

Immigration Detention (Children)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the longest time a child presently detained for immigration purposes has been held; what the longest period a child has been so held since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Management information shows that the longest length of time that a child, who is presently being detained solely under Immigration Act powers, has been held is between four and six months.
	Information on the longest length of time since 1997, that a child, who is being detained solely under Immigration Act powers, is unavailable.
	Published statistics on the detention of minors, for both those detained as at the last Saturday of the quarter and those that have left detention over a period of time, broken down by length of detention are available on the Home Office's Research Development and Statistics website: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html. Minors are detained only in two limited circumstances: first, as part of a family group whose detention is considered appropriate; second, when unaccompanied, while alternative care arrangements are made and normally just overnight. While the detention of families with children is very regrettable, it nevertheless remains necessary in appropriate cases in order to maintain an effective immigration control and to tackle abuses of the asylum system.

Immigration Detention (Children)

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for alternatives to detention for children in immigration cases; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: People under 18 are detained under Immigration Act powers in only two circumstances: as part of a family group and, when unaccompanied, if it is exceptionally necessary to do so while alternative care arrangements are made. Unaccompanied children are normally granted temporary admission in co-operation with social services if no relatives or friends are available to accommodate them, and are rarely made subject to reporting arrangements.

Immigration Officers

Lee Scott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were employed (a) full-time and (b) part-time as immigration officers in the last three years for which figures are available.

Tony McNulty: The following table indicates how many immigration officers were employed within the Immigration and Nationality Directorate in the last three years.
	
		
			  Full-time (headcount) Part-time (headcount) Full-time equivalent 
		
		
			 2003 (31 December) 3146 304 3341.1 
			 2004 (31 December) 3095 331 3305.2 
			 2005 (31 December) 2994 376 3245.21 
			 2006 (2 June) 3142 385 3403.96 
		
	
	Note:
	The figures in the table do not include staff in other operational grades such as chief immigration officer and immigration inspector.

Indefinite Leave to Remain

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people living in the Putney constituency in March 2006 were awaiting a final decision regarding their application for indefinite leave to remain; and how many had been waiting (a) less than one year, (b) one to two years; (c) three to four years, (d) four to five years, (e) five to six years, (f) six to seven years, (g) seven to eight years and (h) over eight years; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: holding answer 19 April 2006
	The information requested could be obtained only by examination of individual records at disproportionate cost.

Indefinite Leave to Remain

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for indefinite leave to remain in the UK have been waiting for a decision for longer than (a) 13 weeks, (b) 26 weeks and (c) 52 weeks.

Tony McNulty: The requested information on outstanding indefinite leave to remain applications is not available and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

International Rendition

Menzies Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information officials in United Kingdom (a) police and (b) security services collect on the transit through UK airports of aircraft used by United States officials for the purpose of an international rendition.

Charles Clarke: We have made clear to the US authorities that we expect them to seek permission to render detainees via UK territory and airspace (including overseas territories), and that we will grant permission only if we are satisfied that the rendition would accord with UK law and our international obligations. We would expect them to make available to us whatever information we judged necessary to allow us to decide whether or not to permit the use of UK airspace or territory.

Iraq/Afghanistan

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many meetings he has had with representatives of (a) Iraqi and (b) Afghan communities living in the UK in each of the last three years.

Tony McNulty: My right hon. Friend the Home Secretary meets regularly with representatives of different communities living in the UK, including members of the Iraqi and Afghan communities.

Jury Service

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent representations he has received on increasing the upper age limit for jury service.

Fiona Mactaggart: In the last 18 months representations have been received from two people who favoured raising the present upper limit of 70 for jury service, and from two who favoured reducing it.

Licensing Act

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will estimate the change in the levels of crime on university campuses in the UK (a) since the coming into force of the Licensing Act 2003 and (b) in each of the last 10 years.

Hazel Blears: Information on crime at university campus level is not collected centrally. The Home Office are conducting an evaluation of the impact of the Licensing Act on levels of crime and disorder in England at a national and local level. However, data relating specifically to crime on university campuses are not being collected as part of the evaluation.

London Bombings

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there is CCTV footage from King's Cross Station of the London bombers on the morning of 7 July 2005.

Hazel Blears: On 12 July 2005, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Peter Clarke said that the Metropolitan Police Service had identified CCTV footage from the morning of 7 July at King's Cross station showing the four men believed to have been responsible for the explosions on that date. Due to the ongoing police investigation, this footage has not been released to the public except for a still image of the man believed to be responsible for the explosion on the bus.

London Bombings

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his Department's discussions with (a) the victims, (b) the families of victims and (c) groups that represent the victims and their families of the terrorist arracks on 7 July 2005.

Tessa Jowell: As Minister responsible for the aftercare of victims, I have been asked to reply to this question.
	Last year I invited representatives of all 52 bereaved families to meet me. As a result of this I met with family members and partners of 25 of the 52 people who lost their lives, at three meetings arranged by my Department in the autumn, to discuss their experiences and the lessons we might learn. I also met with several other bereaved families after the service of remembrance on the 1 November 2005, which my Department arranged. Since 7 July, I have been in contact with representatives of 37 of those who died. Officials from my Department attended the most recent bereaved support group meeting at the 7 July Assistance Centre and my Department is consulting with family members on proposals for a permanent memorial. I have extended an open invitation to any family members who wish to meet me on a more personal basis to do so at any time.
	I met with a number of survivors at the service of remembrance and have arranged a series of more formal meetings, involving the Metropolitan Police and 7 July Assistance Centre, over the coming months.
	My Department will also be involving bereaved families and survivors in our plans for a fitting act of commemoration on 7 July this year.

Magistrates Courts

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the causes of abortive magistrate court hearings; and what steps his Department is taking to prevent them.

Harriet Harman: Her Majesty's Courts Service, together with criminal justice system (CJS) partners, monitors the performance of magistrates courts with regard to ineffective trials. The CJS has introduced the Criminal Case Management Programme to reduce abortive hearings in the courts. In addition there is a monthly analysis of performance utilising quantitative and qualitative information undertaken by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform (OCJR) and HMCS. These measures have tackled the root cause of the many different problems which lead to ineffective hearings such as defendants not turning up at court, witnesses being absent, the prosecution and defence not being sufficiently ready and there being insufficient court time to hear a case. Ineffective trials have reduced from 24 per cent. to 12.7 per cent. in the Crown Court and from 31 per cent. to 21.1 per cent. in the magistrates courts since 2002. The data confirm that the causes of ineffective trials have reduced significantly. In the magistrates courts ineffective trials where the defendant was absent has improved by 58 per cent. In the Crown Court ineffective trials where the defence, and the Crown Prosecution Service were not ready have improved by 73 per cent. and 63 per cent. respectively. Additionally, HMCS and other CJSs are testing new approaches to case management to further reduce the number of abortive hearings at court.

Manslaughter/Murder Convictions

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many defendants (a) were found guilty of and (b) pleaded guilty to (i) manslaughter which involved their killing another person as a result of gross negligence and (ii) murder which involved their having killed another person (A) with the intention of doing that other person serious harm and (B) with reckless indifference to whether the victim would be killed in each of the last five years for which figures are available;
	(2)  how many defendants (a) were found guilty of and (b) pleaded guilty to (i) murder which involved their having killed another person with the intention of killing that other person, (ii) complicity in or assisting a suicide, (iii) infanticide and (iv) manslaughter which involved killing another person by means of a criminal act which the defendant intended to cause some injury or realised might cause some injury in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Fiona Mactaggart: Data from the Court Proceedings Database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform on the number of defendants found guilty, and who pleaded guilty at all courts in England and Wales for offences relating to murder, suicide, infanticide, and manslaughter for the years 2000 to 2004, are provided in the following table.
	It is not possible to identify those (a) found guilty, and those (b) who pleaded guilty, for (i) murder which involved their having killed another person with the intention of killing that other person, (ii) murder which involved their having killed another person (A) with the intention of doing that other person serious harm, and (B) with reckless indifference to whether the victim would be killed or not, as the data is not collected at this level of detail.
	Data for 2005 will be available in the autumn of 2006.
	
		Number of defendants found guilty at all courts, and those of whom pleaded guilty, for offences relating to murder, suicide, infanticide, and manslaughter, in England and Wales, 2000 to 2004(104)
		
			 Court 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Found guilty  
			 Murder of persons aged 1 year or over. (105) 256 285 320 273 357 
			 Murder of infants under 1 year of age. (106) 5 0 4 4 4 
			 Manslaughter. (107) 238 262 299 244 265 
			 Infanticide. (108) 2 5 2 0 0 
			 Child destruction. (109) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Causing death by dangerous driving. (110) 193 227 228 233 241 
			 Manslaughter on the ground of diminished responsibility. (111) 19 20 24 24 22 
			 Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs. (112) 53 51 66 60 62 
			 Suicide (Aiding, Abetting etc.)(104) 0 2 2 4 1 2 
			   
			 Pleaded guilty  
			 Murder of persons aged 1 year or over. (105) 39 55 55 59 89 
			 Murder of infants under 1 year of age. (106) 1 0 0 1 1 
			 Manslaughter. (107) 163 188 194 157 187 
			 Infanticide. (108) 2 5 2 0 0 
			 Child destruction. (109) 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Causing death by dangerous driving. (110) 129 141 176 177 160 
			 Manslaughter on the ground of diminished responsibility. (111) 17 19 19 19 19 
			 Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs. (112) 50 43 60 55 54 
			 Suicide (Aiding, Abetting etc.)(104) 0 2 2 3 1 2 
		
	
	(104) These data are provided on the principal offence basis
	(105) Common Law. Offences against the Person Act 1861 Sec 1, 9,10.
	(106) Common Law. Offences against the Person Act 1861 Sec 1, 9,10.
	(107) Common Law. Offences against the Person Act 1861 Sec 10, Sec 5, Sec 9.
	(108) Infanticide Act 1938 S1(1).
	(109) Infant Life Preservation Act 1929 Sec 1.
	(110) Road Traffic Act 1988 Sec 1 as amended by the Road Traffic Act 1991 Sec 1 and CJA 1993 Sec 67.
	(111) Homicide Act, 1957 Sec 2.
	(112) Road Traffic Act 1988 Sec 3A as added by the Road Traffic Act 1991 Sec 3 and amended by CJA 1993, Sec 67.
	(113) Suicide Act 1961 Sec 2(1).

Manslaughter/Murder Convictions

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many defendants were found to have killed another person but were found not guilty of murder by reason of diminished responsibility in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Hazel Blears: Available information for England and Wales is held on the Homicide Index. The number of persons indicted for murder and consequently found guilty of section two manslaughter is provided.
	
		Persons indicted for murder and consequently convicted of section 2 manslaughter in England and Wales, 200001 to 200405
		
			  Murder indictment Section 2 manslaughter conviction 
		
		
			 200001 632 17 
			 200102 660 14 
			 200203 652 11 
			 200304 623 21 
			 200405 293 11 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. As at 28 November 2005; figures are subject to revision as cases are dealt with by the police and courts, or as further information becomes available.
	2. Excludes persons convicted of section 2 manslaughter who had been indicted for manslaughter
	Offences are shown according to the year in which the police initially recorded the crime as homicide, which is not necessarily the year in which the incident took place or the year in which any court decision was made. The data refer to the position as at 28 November 2005, when recording closed down for the purpose of analysis, and will change as court hearings take place or other information is received.

Manslaughter/Murder Convictions

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals have been convicted of murder while on probation in each year since 1997.

Fiona Mactaggart: Data on the number of individuals that have been convicted of murder while under supervision by the Probation Service have only been collected since 1998 1 .
	The data were collected under the serious incident reporting (SIR) process and is given in the table.
	From 1 April 2004, the SIR was replaced by the serious further offence report. Between 1 April 2004 to 31 March 2005, out of a total of 224 convictions, 26 were for murder.
	As these figures were collected under a different reporting system, they are not comparable.
	
		
			  Murder Total convictions 
		
		
			 1998 40 183 
			 1999 29 157 
			 2000 24 173 
			 2001 26 162 
			 2002 37 156 
			 2003 29 135 
		
	
	1 Source:
	RDS NOMS in Offender Management Caseload Statistics 2004 and in Probation Statistics England and Wales 2002.

MI5 Files

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many files on individuals MI5 holds; how many of these are active; and how many have been destroyed in each year since 1997.

Charles Clarke: In accordance with the long-established practice of successive Governments we do not comment on security matters.

Michael McCartney

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the issue of anonymity for the accused prior to conviction in the context of the trial of Michael McCartney.

Paul Goggins: Independently of the case of Michael McCartney an assessment was recently carried out by the Interdepartmental Ministerial Group on Sex Offending of the current arrangements for anonymity for suspected sex offenders prior to charge. The review found that there had been no complaints about the operation of the guidance issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers and the Press Complaints Commission. The issue will be kept under review.

Michael McCartney

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will re-examine the provisions in the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 1976 which banned media identification of sex offence defendants repealed by the Criminal Justice Act 1988 in the context of the trial of Michael McCartney.

Paul Goggins: The Government remain of the view that all defendants should be treated equally in accordance with the principle of open justice. We have no plans to amend the law to ban media identification of sex offence defendants.

Mini-motorcycles

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce controls on the sale of mini-motorcycles for use by young people.

Hazel Blears: We have no plans to introduce such controls. There are already powers available to the police and local authorities to deal with the problem caused by misuse of the vehicles. Where mini-motorcycle nuisance has been identified as a problem locally, we would expect a local strategy to address it. This could involve the local police working with retailers to ensure that customers are aware of the law on the use of mini-motorcycles.

Ministerial Residence

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the estimated market rental value of the former official residence of the right hon. Member for Sheffield, Brightside (Mr. Blunkett) was in each year since 2001.

Charles Clarke: There is no market rental value held for this property.

Mr. Harry Hammond

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will consider a posthumous pardon for Mr. Harry Hammond.

Fiona Mactaggart: Generally, I consider the Royal Prerogative of Mercy only where it is impractical for the case to be referred to the appellate court. Where that is the case, the exercise of the Prerogative is considered where there is new evidence which has not been before the courts demonstrates beyond any doubt that either no offence was committed or that the person convicted in a court of law did not commit the offence. I am not aware that such evidence has been presented in the case of Mr. Harry Hammond.
	It is open to those representing Mr. Hammond to seek a review of his case by the Criminal Cases Review Commission. Where the Commission consider that there is a real possibility that a conviction would be quashed they can refer the case back to the appropriate appellate court.

Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangement Panels

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the Guidelines for Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangement panels.

Fiona Mactaggart: We have arranged for copies of the current Multi-Agency Public Protection Arrangements (MAPPA) Guidance Manual to be placed in the Library. The guidance is available online at: http://www.probation.homeoffice.gov.uk/output/page30.asp.

National Offender Management Service

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what is the estimated annual cost of commissioning arrangements under the National Offender Management Service.

Fiona Mactaggart: The planned expenditure on commissioning arrangements by the National Offender Management Service in 200506 is 7.4 million.

National Offender Management Service

Ann Cryer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much has been allocated to the end-to-end supervision of offenders under National Offender Management Service arrangements for long-term prisoners.

Fiona Mactaggart: holding answer 27 February 2006
	We expect Offender Management to be cost neutral over the long-term, with any costs balanced by the benefits of the system. There will, however, be some start-up costs. These are estimated to be 10 million in 200607. We do not have separate figures related to long-term prisoners.

Newspaper Displays (Adult Material)

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if his Department will monitor implementation levels by retail newsagents of the new code of practice published by the National Federation of Retail Newsagents relating to the display of magazines and tabloid newspapers which contain adult material.

Paul Goggins: I refer to the answer given by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, my hon. Friend the Member for Tottenham (Mr. Lammy), to my hon. Friend the Member for Swansea, East (Mrs. James) on 27 March 2006, Official Report, column 651 w. The National Federation of Retail Newsagents (NFRN) have agreed to issue fresh advice to newsagents which includes guidance about the sale and display of 'top shelf' adult material as well as advice about the appropriate placement and display of other publications containing some sexual material.
	This voluntary code of practice will be implemented with the agreement of its members. The NFRN will send a copy of the code to each of its members and will continue to highlight the code on an ongoing basis in its trade magazine. They have also shared the code with the Association of News Retailing and the British Retail Consortium.
	My officials, along with those from DTI and DCMS, will continue to meet with the NFRN and other retail trade associations to discuss the implementation of the guidance.

Nightclubs

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many nightclubs in (a) London, (b) Havering and (c) England and Wales have been raided by police for drugs in each of the last seven years.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is not collected by the Home Office.

Non-emergency Situations

John Hemming: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria he used in deciding that (a) drug dealing, (b) drunken behaviour, (c) harassment and (d) intimidation should be treated as non-emergency situations; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will not be making a statement as the criteria for what constitutes an emergency or non-emergency situation is an operational matter for which the Association of Chief Police Officers have existing standards for call handling in police contact centres that include definitions of emergency and non-emergency contacts. 101, the new single non-emergency number, complies with these standards and will work alongside 999 and other non-emergency numbers to provide a service for less urgent community safety and antisocial behaviour problems.
	101 operators will direct callers to the emergency service if the call requires a 999 response. A non-emergency situation will also require an immediate priority response if the situation relates to serious criminal conduct or concern for somebody's safety even if the situation is not considered an emergency.
	The initial scope of the 101 service has been developed through research with the general public, and in consultation with a wide group of stakeholders and local authority and police force partnerships.
	The core service will cover:
	Vandalism, graffiti and other deliberate damage to property;
	Noisy neighbours;
	Intimidation and harassment;
	Abandoned vehicles;
	Rubbish and litter, including fly tipping;
	People being drunk or rowdy in public places;
	Drug related antisocial behaviour; and
	Street lighting.
	The new service will improve the delivery of these services by providing a more informed and better coordinated response by local agencies. 101 will be provided by local authorities and police forces working in partnership to both handle calls and deliver services.

Offenders (Employability Contracts)

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on his proposals for a new 'employability contract' for sentenced offenders.

Fiona Mactaggart: Evidence suggests that employment is a key factor in reducing re-offending. The 'Reducing Re-offending Through Skills and Employment' Green Paper made clear our intention to test the scope for introducing a new employability contract to motivate offenders. This new 'rights and responsibilities' package would offer offenders a menu of options for training and skills support leading to a specific employment goal. In return, offenders would be expected to engage positively with the offer and meet clear performance criteria. Offender managers would select individuals who appeared likely to benefit from an intensive programme focused on employability, making an initial assessment of the range of an individual's needs, priorities, and barriers to learning. Wherever possible, this would be conducted before sentencing, so that the outline sentence plan could be put before the court, discussed with the offender, and then reflected, where appropriate, in conditions attached to the sentence.

Parliament Square (Demonstrations)

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications have been made for demonstrations in Parliament Square since 1 August 2005; and how many such applications were successful.

Paul Goggins: The Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police tells me that 141 applications have been made for demonstrations in Parliament Square and Whitehall between 1 August 2005 and 28 February 2006. Authorisation was given for all applications. Under Section 134 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005, the Commissioner must give authorisation for a demonstration for which written notice has been given.

Parliamentary Questions

Jessica Morden: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will provide a substantive answer to question 17761, tabled by the hon. Member for Newport, East on 11 October 2005.

Paul Goggins: holding answer 10 March 2006
	I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 23 March 2006, Official Report, column 619W.

Parliamentary Questions

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will reply to Question reference 54867 from the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight on charities.

Paul Goggins: I replied to the hon. Member on 23 March 2005, Official Report, column 595W.

Police

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether financial advantages will be made available to a police force whose police authority agrees to an amalgamation proposal by 23 December.

Hazel Blears: In order to support all police forces and authorities across England and Wales involved in amalgamation, the Government will pay 100 per cent. of net set up costs i.e. the reasonable resources/revenue and capital costs of restructuring, net of reasonable savings. The exact level of these costs is a matter for negotiation and these discussions are currently taking place.

Police

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost of restructuring the police force in North Yorkshire.

Hazel Blears: The estimated cost of the proposed reorganisation of North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and Humberside is 39 million. Long term savings made possible by the merger are currently estimated at around 18 million a year.

Police

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the costs of redundancies in each of the four police authorities in Wales as a consequence of the creation of a Welsh police force.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 13 February 2006
	It is our current assessment that any reductions in staff numbers can be achieved mainly through a combination of redeployment and natural wastage. Estimates of the cost of amalgamating Dyfed-Powys, Gwent, North Wales and South Wales include a small provision for redundancy (0.7 million).

Police

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what basis he ruled out a merger between the North Wales police and Cheshire police forces.

Hazel Blears: After careful consideration of this option, the Home Secretary decided that a merger between North Wales and Cheshire police forces could not progress. This was on the basis that the proposed merged force would not provide sufficient critical mass in all seven protective services to its populations; would cut across Government office boundaries, reducing co-terminosity; and there were more operationally viable options, including a single strategic force for Wales.

Police

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the retirement age is for employees of the police service.

Hazel Blears: There is no fixed retirement age for police officers under the current police pension scheme under which officers can build up a maximum pension after 30 years service. Officers with at least 25 years service may retire with an immediate pension from age 50.
	The age threshold does not apply, however, to officers with 30 years service. This means that an officer who joined at age 18the earliest age at which it is possible to start as a police officeris entitled to retire at age 48 with a full pension.
	Otherwise officers become eligible to retire with an immediate pension between the ages of 55 and 60 depending on the compulsory retirement age for their rank and force. Officers with less than 25 years service who leave the police with deferred benefits will receive their pension at age 60. The Government are introducing a new pension scheme for new entrant police officers from 6 April 2006. The scheme provides a maximum pension after 35 years and a minimum pension age of 55 which is common to all ranks. Officers who leave the police before age 55 with deferred benefits will receive their pensions at age 65. Those employees of the police service who have access to the local government pension scheme, are members of a scheme which has a retirement age of 65, but allows individuals to voluntarily retire from age 60, and facility to retire with employer consent from age 50.

Police

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding was provided to Staffordshire police in relation to the introduction of the Licensing Act 2003; and what period this covered.

Hazel Blears: No money has been provided to police authorities specifically in relation to the introduction of the Licensing Act 2003. The third national Alcohol Misuse Enforcement Campaign (AMEC 3) took place between 14 November 2005 and the beginning of 2006. The Police Standards Unit provided forces with extra funding to implement a range of tactics with the aim of tackling irresponsible drinkers and retailers of alcohol. Staffordshire Police was allocated 33,000 for the campaign. Staffordshire will receive its fair share of resources next year, including 116 million in general grants and 16 million in specific grants and capital support. The allocation and use of resources are matters for the Staffordshire police authority and the chief constable of Staffordshire police.

Police

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to meet local representatives from North Yorkshire county council and district councils in North Yorkshire to discuss his proposals on police restructuring.

Hazel Blears: On 21 March 2006, the Home Secretary made a statement setting out that the most effective viable option for the Yorkshire and Humber area was a single strategic force. Senior Home Office officials are currently meeting with representatives from all forces and authorities including those for North Yorkshire to take forward work on restructuring.

Police

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost of merging the five East Midlands police forces.

Hazel Blears: The currently estimated cost of the proposed restructuring of the five East Midlands police forces is 77 million. Long term savings made possible by the merger are currently estimated at around 16 million per annum after 5 years.

Police

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on the restructuring of the police force in North Yorkshire.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office in December received business cases for change from all police forces and police authorities including North Yorkshire. These included a number of options for merging North Yorkshire with other forces in the area. Since then the Home Office has received a variety of correspondence concerning North Yorkshire.

Police

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the latest estimate is of the cost of the proposed restructuring of the police forces in Wales.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 23 March 2006
	The estimated set up cost of a strategic police force for Wales is 35 million. Long term savings made possible by the merger are currently estimated at around 16 million a year.

Police

Ann Keen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were deployed in Brentford and Isleworth constituency in (a) 1997, (b) 2001, (c) 2004 and (d) 2005.

Hazel Blears: This information is not collected centrally.
	Brentford and Isleworth is part of the Borough of Hounslow Operational Command Unit (OCU), part of the Metropolitan Police Service. Figures for Operational Command Units have only been centrally collected since March 2002.
	In March 2002, Hounslow had 435 police officers, in March 2004 there were 472 (full-time equivalent) police officers and 510 in March 2005.
	The deployment of police officers to OCUs and other specialist units in the Metropolitan Police is an operational matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.

Police

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the estimated (a) initial and (b) annual costs are of merging the Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire police forces.

Hazel Blears: Current projections of set-up costs and annual ongoing savings from restructuring is set out in the table. No ongoing costs from amalgamation are expected. Negotiations continue with the police authorities on refining the costs and savings.
	
		 million
		
			 Year Set-up costs for amalgamation Annual savings from reorganisation, net of ongoing costs 
		
		
			 0 3.2  
			 1 18.8 (0.5) 
			 2 12.2 (5.9) 
			 3 11.2 (10.7) 
			 4 1.5 (10.7) 
			 5 7.9 (15.9) 
			 6 14.7 (15.9) 
			 7 5.5 (15.9) 
			 8 2.0 (15.9) 
			 9  (15.9) 
			 10  (15.9) 
		
	
	Source:
	Home OfficeAmalgamation of Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire police forces: Adjusted Financial Projections (20 March 2006).

Police

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what new structures will be put in place through the merging of the Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire police forces.

Hazel Blears: It would be premature to state the precise structure of the merged strategic force in the East Midlands, as this will be an operational decision for the new Chief Officer. It is clear that the strategic force will provide a more comprehensive level of protective services cover to the people of the region than before.

Police

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it is his intention to review the decision not to merge Hampshire police force with other forces at a future date.

Hazel Blears: The case for Hampshire to stand alone as a strategic force has been rigorously assessed as capable of providing the required standard of protective services to tackle crime in the 21st century. It is therefore unlikely that this decision will be reviewed in the near future. However, legislation provides for the Home Secretary to alter force areas on the grounds of efficiency and effectiveness at any time.

Police

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many representations he has received from the people in Yorkshire regarding the proposed reorganisation of the four Yorkshire police forces; how many of these were (a) in support of and (b) opposed to the reorganisation; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office received various representations on the merger of forces in Yorkshire and the Humber, including from all police forces and authorities in Yorkshire and the Humber and local authorities, which were taken into account in developing the case for amalgamation in Yorkshire and the Humber. The case for amalgamation involving forces and authorities in Yorkshire and the Humber has already been placed in the House of Commons Library and is available on the Home Office website at www.policereform.gov.uk.

Police

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the estimated cost is of merging the police forces in the West Midlands into a new combined force.

Hazel Blears: The estimated cost of merging the police forces in the West Midlands is 57 million. The current projection of long-term savings from restructuring is 26 million a year. These potential savings will ultimately dwarf the initial set up cost.

Police

Robert Goodwill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many former police officers (a) above and (b) below the age of 65 have had their injury on duty pension reviewed since the implementation of Annex C of Home Office Circular 46/2004; and how many in each category have subsequently had their entitlement withdrawn.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not held centrally since it is for each police authority to decide when to review an injury pension. An injury pension which is reviewed may be increased or decreased in the light of changing circumstances. However, it can be withdrawn only where the former officer's disability has ceased and he or she is not also in receipt of an ordinary, ill-health or short service pension.

Police

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to merge the City of London police with the Metropolitan Police Service; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: There are currently two ongoing reviews which will affect the future of the Metropolitan Police Service and the City of London police. The first is a national review of fraud by the Attorney-General and the second of the role of the British Transport police, commissioned by the Department for Transport. As both reviews potentially have some impact on London, it is widely accepted that decisions affecting the London area will be made once the outcome of these two reviews is known later in the year.

Police

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there were in each London borough on 31 March (a) 2003 and (b) 2004; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The data for the number of police officers by London Borough Operational Command Unit (OCU) within the Metropolitan Police area as at 31 March 2003 and 2004 are provided in the table.
	The deployment of police officers to OCUs and other specialist units in the Metropolitan Police is an operational matter for the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis.
	
		Police officer strength(114) in the Metropolitan Police by Operational Command Unit, 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004
		
			 Basic Command Unit 31 March 2003 31 March 2004 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 360 384 
			 Barnet 522 541 
			 Bexley 315 338 
			 Brent 619 683 
			 Bromley 417 459 
			 Camden 719 794 
			 City of Westminster 1,565 1,637 
			 Croydon 624 659 
			 Ealing 652 697 
			 Enfield 490 538 
			 Greenwich 604 583 
			 Hackney 673 766 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 513 516 
			 Haringey 633 682 
			 Harrow 302 333 
			 Havering 340 343 
			 Hillingdon 458 484 
			 Hounslow 467 472 
			 Islington 623 680 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 528 575 
			 Kingston upon Thames 272 275 
			 Lambeth 968 941 
			 Lewisham 571 625 
			 Merton 304 339 
			 Newham 692 781 
			 Redbridge 393 440 
			 Richmond upon Thames 284 285 
			 Southwark 838 869 
			 Sutton 266 280 
			 Tower Hamlets 686 760 
			 Waltham Forest 486 533 
			 Wandsworth 557 612 
		
	
	(114) Figures are based on full-time equivalent and include those officers on career breaks or maternity/paternity leave. These figures have been rounded to the nearest whole number, because of rounding there may be some discrepancy between the totals and sums of the constituent items.

Police

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the set-up costs will be of a strategic police force for Wales; and how these will be funded.

Hazel Blears: The estimated set up costs of a strategic force for Wales is 35 million. Long term savings made possible by the merger estimated at around 16 million a year.
	We will pay 100 per cent. of reasonable set up revenue and capital cots, net of reasonable savings. The precise level of these costs is a matter for negotiation, currently taking place.

Police

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many basic command units the Government plans to maintain after expected mergers and amalgamations.

Hazel Blears: The proposals for police force amalgamation are designed to make the police force structures in England and Wales fit for purpose to meet the policing challenges of the 21st century. The BCU structure within strategic forces will be a matter for the new Chief Officers.

Police

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the cost of the proposed reorganisation of the four Yorkshire police forces.

Hazel Blears: The estimated cost of the proposed reorganisation of the four Yorkshire police forces is 39 million. Long-term savings made possible by the merger are currently estimated at around 18 million a year.

Police

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how the cost of restructuring the police forces in Wales will be met.

Hazel Blears: We will pay 100 per cent. of reasonable net set up revenue and capital costs of restructuring, net of reasonable savings. The precise projected level of these costs and savings is a matter for negotiation, which is currently taking place.

Police

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimates he has made of (a) the set up costs, (b) the recurring annual costs and (c) the recurring savings of setting up a single police force in Wales.

Hazel Blears: The information is set out in the table.
	We will pay 100 per cent. of the reasonable set up costs of restructuring net of savings. The precise projected level of these costs and savings is a matter for negotiation.
	
		 --  million
		
			 Year Set-up costs for amalgamation Annual savings from reorganisation, net of ongoing costs 
		
		
			 0 0.4  
			 1 16.1  
			 2 9.4 (1.8) 
			 3 5.6 (4.4) 
			 4 2.1 (10.0) 
			 5 1.7 (15.7) 
			 6  (15.7) 
			 7  (15.7) 
			 8  (15.7) 
			 9  (15.7) 
			 10  (15.7) 
		
	
	Note:
	Additional costs of Protective Services, estimated at around 10 million in a full year, are expected to be met from annual savings.

Police

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what costs of police force reorganisation have been identified by (a) his Department and (b) consultants employed by his Department.

Hazel Blears: Assessments of costs for change undertaken by consultants has fed into and informed the Home Office's indicative projected costs of establishing strategic forces. This information has been published in the following cases for amalgamation:
	Sussex/Surrey amalgamation.
	Essex/Hertfordshire/Bedfordshire amalgamation.
	Norfolk/Suffolk/Cambridgeshire amalgamation.
	Leicestershire/Nottinghamshire/Northamptonshire/Lincolnshire/Derbyshire amalgamation.
	West Midlands/West Mercia/Staffordshire/Warwicks amalgamation.
	North Wales/South Wales/Gwent/Dyfed Powys amalgamation.
	North Yorkshire/South Yorkshire/West Yorkshire/Humberside amalgamation.
	Durham/Northumbria/Cleveland amalgamation.
	Lancashire/Cumbria amalgamation.
	Merseyside/Cheshire amalgamation.
	They can be found on the Home Office website: http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/police-reform/Force-restructuring

Police

Nick Herbert: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the estimates of the cost of police force amalgamations he has received from each police authority in England and Wales in the business cases which he requested by 23 December 2005.

Hazel Blears: Business cases received on 23 December 2005 included estimates of costs and savings.
	These were worked on subsequently by finance professionals and revised estimates were produced. For those forces where the Home Secretary has made statements, those estimates could be found on the police reform website in the cases for amalgamation (http://police.homeoffice.gov.uk/police-reform/Force-restructuring).

Police

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on what date his Department started evaluating the costs of the police restructuring proposals.

Hazel Blears: The evaluation of these costs began in January 2006.

Police

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what meetings Ministers and officials plan to have in Yorkshire to discuss the proposed merger of police authorities in the county.

Hazel Blears: The Home Secretary met with chief constables and chairs of police authorities on 21 March to discuss the way forward for the Yorkshire and Humber region. Home Office officials are currently meeting with representatives from the region to discuss further the way forward, in light of the Home Secretary's decision that a single strategic force in Yorkshire and the Humber was the most viable option.

Police

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the expected effects on community policing of combining police constabularies.

Hazel Blears: The Home Secretary has made it clear that neighbourhood policing will be supported and strengthened by police force restructuring. The development of strategic forces will ensure there is a lesser need to abstract resources from a local level in order to deal with major incidents or investigations elsewhere.

Police

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the expected effect of combining police forces.

Hazel Blears: The Home Secretary has stated that the development of strategic forces with the required capacity, capability and resilience to deal with protective services will strengthen local policing and create a police service that is able to deal with the challenges of crime in the 21st century.

Police

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the estimated cost will be of combining constabularies in England and Wales.

Hazel Blears: The currently projected cost of proposed amalgamations of English and Welsh forces announced so far is around 391 million. Long term, savings made possible by mergers are currently estimated at around 145 million a year.

Police

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the net change in numbers of jobs consequent on combining police forces in England and Wales.

Hazel Blears: Restructuring aims to make more resources available for the front line and in particular protective services. Other than in the most senior ranks, there is no expectation that police officer numbers will fall as a result of restructuring. It will be for the new strategic forces to consider their requirements for administrative staff following mergers.

Police

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of the cost of theproposed police restructuring in Wales will be met by (a) his Department and (b) existing police authorities.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 21 March 2006
	The estimated set up cost of a strategic police force for Wales is 35 million. Long-term savings made possible by the merger are currently estimated at 16 million a year.
	We will pay 100 per cent. of the reasonable net set up revenue and capital costs, net of reasonable savings. The precise level of these costs is a matter for negotiation, currently taking place.

Police

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what training is given to police officers to ensure that suspects are charged appropriately.

Hazel Blears: Under the statutory charging programme, the charging of suspects is now predominantly undertaken by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). Although most summary cases continue to be charged by police without referral to the CPS, the decision to charge in indictable and 'either-way' cases passes to a crown prosecutor. Both police and CPS use the evidential and public interests test set out in the code for Crown Prosecutors to arrive at a charging decision.
	In cases where a police officer is responsible for charging, this will fall to a police custody officer. All such officers in England and Wales receive a considerable amount of training in relation to the charging of suspects. The Central Police Training and Development Authority (Centrex) have developed a custody officer training package that is updated annually and made available to all forces. Building upon this information, individual courses are then designed and delivered locally by each force.
	Guidance has been issued by the Director of Public Prosecutions to enable custody officers to decide how a suspect should be dealt with and crown prosecutors are deployed as duty prosecutors to provide guidance and make charging decisions. There is also a centrally managed out of hours duty prosecutor arrangement to ensure provision of a 24-hour service.
	It is also important that the arresting officer has sufficient knowledge of the law and this is reflected in the content of the initial police learning and development programme (IPLDP), the training for newly recruited police officers, which contains a number of core modules that are designed to provide trainee officers with a sound understanding of legislation.

Policing Bureaucracy Taskforce

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many standard police forms have been (a) abolished and (b) introduced since the publication of the report of the Policing Bureaucracy Taskforce.

Hazel Blears: Nearly 9,000 forms have been abolished across all forces. We do not hold information centrally on the number of police forms that have been introduced since the publication of the report of the Policing Bureaucracy Taskforce.

Port Security

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what factors he took into account when allocating funding for security at the ports of (a) Holyhead and (b) Mostyn, in North Wales for 200607.

Hazel Blears: All decisions relating to the allocation of funding of security at ports, including Holyhead and Mostyn, are taken in conjunction with the appropriate security authorities, ensuring that all relevant factors are taken into account.
	Following consultation and widespread support we have consolidated from 200607 a range of financial provisions previously made for counter terrorism (CT) policing. This includes provision for dedicated security posts (DSP) previously included in the general grant formula. North Wales will receive 3.7 million in DSP funding next year and will be able to bid for further CT funding from a 64 million pot that will be allocated on advice from the Terrorism and Allied Matters Committee of the Association of Chief Police Officers.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prison deputy governors' roles have been (a) downgraded and (b) upgraded in each of the last three years; and if he will list the prisons in each case.

Fiona Mactaggart: The following table details the changes that have been authorised to the grades and pay bands of deputy governors since 1 April 2004, the earliest date for which such information has been centrally recorded.
	
		
			  
		
		
			 2004  
			 1 April 2004 Temporary upgrading of deputy governor post at Styal from operational manager (pay band E) to senior operational manager (pay band D) for 2 years. 
			 22 July 2004 Temporary upgrading of deputy governor post at Aylesbury from operational manager (pay band E) to senior operational manager (pay band D). 
			 13 Dec 2004 Temporary upgrading of deputy governor post at Liverpool from senior operational manager (pay band D) to senior operational manager (pay band C). 
			 2005  
			 14 Feb 2005 Temporary upgrading of deputy governor post at Haverigg from operational manager (pay band E) to senior operational manager (pay band D). 
			 31 Oct 2005 Upgrading of deputy governor post at Gartree from operational manager (pay band E) to senior operational manager (pay band D). 
			 28 Nov 2005 Review of temporary upgrading of deputy governor post at Liverpool from senior operational manager (pay band C) to senior operational manager (pay band D). 
			 2006  
			 3 Apr 2006 Upgrading of deputy governor post at Whatton from operational manager (pay band E) to senior operational manager (pay band D).

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inmates at each prison establishment have left prison without accommodation in each of the last 10 years.

Fiona Mactaggart: Data on the accommodation status of offenders at discharge from prison have only been recorded since April 2003. Information prior to 2003 would be at a disproportionate cost to collate.
	In April 2003 the prison service introduced a shadow key performance indicator (KPI) on accommodation to improve on the number of offenders leaving prison without accommodation to go to, and to have access to appropriate housing advice whilst in custody. Since the introduction of the shadow KPI which became a full KPI in April 2005, the percentage of released prisoners without accommodation to go to has fallen from 46 per cent. in 200304 to 13 per cent. for 200506 year-to-date.
	A copy of the table will be placed in the House Library.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact on the application of disciplinary processes of staff working within the Prison Service having personal relationships with other members of staff.

Fiona Mactaggart: There has been no specific assessment. However, where an allegation of misconduct requires an investigation, the investigating officer/investigation team are required to act impartially and independent of undue influence of others at all times. The choice of investigating officer is at the discretion of the commissioning authority and will depend on the nature of the incident and the staff involved.
	Where the allegation is about a member of staff who is involved in a relationship with another member of staff the commissioning authority would take care to ensure that the matters were investigated by a member of staff who had no personal interest in the outcome of the investigation. The same consideration would apply to the person conducting any subsequent hearing.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications the Prison Service has made under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 in each of the last five years (a) nationally and (b) in each establishment for surveillance operations of staff outside the establishment in which they are employed; what results were obtained from these operations; what (i) investigations, (ii) reports and (iii) disciplinary processes resulted; and if he will place a list of the applications and investigations in the House Library.

Hazel Blears: There have been two applications under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 for surveillance operations on staff, both were authorised by the relevant area manager. One operation was in 2003 and the other was in 2005 and related to staff working while on long term sick absence. However, it would be inappropriate to provide further information about these operations not least to protect the covert methodology used and so as not to hinder future operations.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the work of the Professional Standards Unit in the Prison Service.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Prison Service's Professional Standards Unit (PSU) was established in February 2003 to implement its anti-corruption strategy. Its role is to receive, develop and analyse intelligence on corruption. It maintains a database to monitor the scale of corruption and to identify trends so that preventive and remedial action can be taken. PSU monitors the progress of investigations, maintains a register of trained investigators and provides advice and statistical reports to the Service. PSU currently employs 12 members of staff. A review of the Service's professional standards strategy was completed in December 2005 and is under consideration.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many complaints were investigated by the Professional Standards Unit in the Prison Service in each of the last five years; how many investigations resulted in disciplinary action; what quality assessment mechanisms are in place to judge the work of the Professional Standards Unit; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Prison Service's Professional Standards Unit has no investigatory function and is not resourced to do so. An investigation's commissioning authority assigns investigators, who either work at the same establishment, a neighbouring establishment or within the respective area. The police are also involved if the investigation has a criminal aspect.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of (a) complaints, (b) investigations and (c) disciplinary action progressed by the Prison Service's Professional Standards Unit related to (i) prison support staff, (ii) prison officer grades, (iii) prison governor grades and (iv) Prison Service headquarters staff in the last year for which figures are available.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Prison Service Professional Standards Unit does not progress complaints, investigations or disciplinary advice on any Prison Service staff. This work is carried out by the individual governor of an establishment or the head of headquarters units or groups.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the compulsory transfer of staff in the Prison Service.

Fiona Mactaggart: When staff transfer to a new employer, the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations, are applicable to the Prison Service. In addition, the public sector Prison Service complies fully with the policies that currently apply to central Government and agencies, including the Cabinet Office statement of Practice, Staff transfers in the Public Sector and its annex A Fair deal for Staff Pensions.
	Compulsory transfers within the public sector Prison Service are managed in accordance with standard Prison Service conditions of employment.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) prison support staff, (b) Prison Service headquarters staff and (c) staff in (i) prison officer grades and (ii) prison governor grades have left the service for mental health reasons in each of the last five years.

Fiona Mactaggart: Information on the number of staff leaving the public sector Prison Service for mental health reasons is not recorded centrally and could be collected only at disproportionate cost.
	Information on staffing matters is not collected centrally for contracted establishments as the personnel function is entirely the responsibility of individual contractors. This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Prisons

David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals have been released early from prison under the home detention curfew since the introduction of the scheme, broken down by offence for which originally imprisoned.

Fiona Mactaggart: The requested information is in the table, as recorded on the Prison Service IT system.
	
		HOC discharges(115) by offence group(116) (28 January 199931 January 2006) England and Wales
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Total 123,542 
			 Violence against the person 22,250 
			 Sexual offences 83 
			 Burglary 11,029 
			 Robbery 6,002 
			 Theft and handling 16,312 
			 Fraud and forgery 8,740 
			 Drugs offences 17,682 
			 Motoring offences 20,123 
			 Other 21,321 
		
	
	(115) These statistics are based on information recorded on the central Prison Service IT system at the beginning of March 2006. Further updates and amendments may be made to records on this system in future resulting in revised figures.
	(116) Offence recorded on Prison Service IT system.
	Investigations suggest that around 5 per cent. of offence types recorded on this system do not relate to the offence for which they were released on HOC but relate to offences committed after release from prison and before the licence expiry date for their sentence. Of the 83 discharges for sex offences shown in the table, only 64 were serving a sentence for a sex offence at their time of release. The last offender to be released on HOC while serving a sentence for a sex offence was released in January 2004.
	(117) Includes the offence of bigamy.

Prisons

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what procedures are in place to consider the status of those who are in prison but do not have leave to remain in the UK.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Prison Service is required to refer the cases of all foreign nationals, dual nationals and those whose nationality is initially unclear or where the prisoner refuses to give nationality to the Immigration and Nationality Department, so that the their immigration status can be established and their liability for deportation can be considered.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what average time was spent by prisoners on remand at each prison in each year since 1997.

Fiona Mactaggart: Information on the estimated average time spent on remand in each year since 1997 is given in the table 1. Providing average time spent on remand for each prison is not possible without disproportionate cost. Information on the numbers of prisoners held within prison establishments since 1997 is in table 2.
	
		Table 1: Average time in days spent on remand for each year since 1997(118)
		
			  Days 
		
		
			 1997 59 
			 1998 56 
			 1999 54 
			 2000 51 
			 2001 50 
			 2002 51 
			 2003 52 
			 2004 53 
		
	
	(118) Average time spent on remand is calculated by dividing the average annual remand population by number of receptions *365.25. 2005 data are awaited
	
		Table 2: Average number of prisoners by prison establishment, held on remand each year since 1997. (Calculated as an average of the 12 month January-December totals)
		
			 Prison Establishment 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 Altcourse 15 358 358 301 255 302 262 250 272 
			 Ashfield 0 0 14 114 112 65 68 46 55 
			 Bedford 159 177 182 181 171 179 211 212 180 
			 Belmarsh 358 339 325 356 436 454 462 475 446 
			 Birmingham 295 291 319 342 393 505 526 513 516 
			 Blakenhurst 318 340 345 305 298 358 357 332 387 
			 Brinsford 263 269 287 240 207 218 214 215 232 
			 Bristol 289 307 288 218 247 291 275 268 248 
			 Brixton 307 323 344 352 382 416 441 493 418 
			 Brockhill 41 65 86 79 72 91 83 76 71 
			 Bronzefield 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 84 230 
			 Bullingdon 141 120 137 145 149 187 184 177 219 
			 Camp Hill 10 13 11 3 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Canterbury 171 166 155 154 140 120 16 0 0 
			 Cardiff 276 210 207 184 182 215 209 212 217 
			 Castington   80 71 72 92 79 100 111 
			 Chelmsford 270 291 221 169 189 236 246 250 245 
			 Doncaster 602 571 568 506 380 444 427 357 330 
			 Dorchester 140 129 119 107 92 87 80 78 106 
			 Downview 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 6 
			 Durham 339 346 336 311 286 273 285 291 291 
			 Eastwood Park 60 83 100 88 124 157 139 126 96 
			 Edmunds Hill 0 0 0 0 0 0 81 78 0 
			 Elmley 170 168 161 135 133 199 297 281 336 
			 Exeter 263 256 240 174 184 240 225 221 222 
			 Feltham 415 439 412 412 393 412 398 449 430 
			 Forest Bank 0 0 0 218 237 275 254 338 346 
			 Foston Hall 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 23 
			 Frankland 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 
			 Full Sutton 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Glen Parva 359 337 331 270 239 229 210 198 211 
			 Gloucester 168 168 173 125 115 126 119 133 122 
			 Highdown 206 248 215 198 240 319 296 273 308 
			 Highpoint 0 0 0 12 29 49 33 0 0 
			 Hindley 256 211 199 42 13 41 36 38 35 
			 Holloway 279 306 271 263 283 310 326 263 215 
			 Holme House 183 187 220 193 188 234 245 190 178 
			 Hull 187 174 187 146 137 230 311 281 277 
			 Lancaster Farms 149 100 111 96 104 147 156 132 112 
			 Leeds 530 522 528 384 326 361 391 353 337 
			 Leicester 225 241 237 227 156 182 171 194 187 
			 Lewes 207 216 210 205 209 184 210 181 194 
			 Lincoln 218 130 134 140 124 157 153 148 149 
			 Liverpool 429 257 245 224 190 239 262 258 261 
			 Low Newton 176 173 50 55 56 61 55 46 52 
			 Manchester 606 617 609 396 354 361 376 338 341 
			 New Hall 81 102 110 93 105 136 138 124 89 
			 Northallerton 121 119 166 125 108 37 0 0 0 
			 Norwich 193 187 194 154 153 171 174 172 206 
			 Nottingham 58 175 205 158 221 271 299 237 260 
			 Onley 0 0 0 29 52 46 45 4 0 
			 Parc 16 155 189 135 139 154 129 115 88 
			 Parkhurst 4 1 1 6 6 10 10 15 17 
			 Pentonville 369 391 435 430 479 619 638 561 655 
			 Peterborough 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 143 
			 Preston 332 354 330 264 262 260 253 252 249 
			 Reading 161 150 138 125 102 109 102 89 107 
			 Risley 102 118 41 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Rochester 70 64 69 51 26 0 0 0 0 
			 Shrewsbury 127 134 128 102 112 134 143 112 107 
			 Stoke Heath42 37 36 30 54 48 
			 Styal 2 1 95 108 102 137 140 118 117 
			 Swansea 198 147 145 117 107 141 131 117 119 
			 The Wolds 93 108 113 88 96 65 0 0 0 
			 Wandsworth 195 274 347 308 339 414 512 481 524 
			 Warren Hill 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 24 34 
			 Wetherby 0 0 0 1 53 56 60 58 51 
			 Winchester 228 246 223 217 188 193 227 222 232 
			 Woodhill 288 295 308 282 293 308 320 349 350 
			 Wormwood Scrubs 384 372 240 273 377 363 373 397 457 
			 Police cells 0 0 0 0 0 58 0 0 0 
			 Total(119) 2,130 2,567 2,520 1,1275 1,237 12,792 12,923 12,485 12,896 
		
	
	(119) Components may not add to totals because they have been rounded independently

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to reduce the time prisoners spend on remand.

Fiona Mactaggart: Decisions on remand are a matter for the court based on the provisions of the Bail Act 1976.
	With colleagues in the three Criminal Justice Departments, we are working to ensure that the courts have available to them the information they need on alternatives to remand. For example we are encouraging the greater use of electronic monitoring on bail as an alternative to remand in custody, and we are seeking to improve bail information schemes in prisons.
	Cases where the individual is held on remand are currently prioritised through the court process and we are working to see what further steps can be taken to reduce the time taken to bring these cases to trial.

Prisons

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many hours a week of vocational training was provided on average to prisoners and juvenile offenders in (a) the North West of England, (b) the North East of England and (c) the South West of England between (i) 1 March 2005 and 31 July 2005 and (ii) 1 August 2005 and 28 February 2006.

Fiona Mactaggart: The average weekly hours of vocational training undertaken by prisoners and juvenile offenders in the North West, North East and South West prison regions in England and Wales between 1 March 2005 and 31 July 2005 and 1 August 2005 and 28 February 2006 is shown in the following table.
	
		Average weekly hours of vocational training undertaken by prisoners and juvenile offenders in the North West, North East and South West prison regions in England and Wales between 1 March 2005 and 31 July 2005, and 1 August 2005 and 28 February 2006
		
			 Prison region 1 March to 31 July 2005 1 August 2005 to 28 February 2006 
		
		
			 North West 5.5 5.5 
			 North East 3.0 2.9 
			 South West 4.0 4.0

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with stakeholders regarding the future funding of the work of Business in Prisons; and if he will publish the notes of the meetings;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the contribution made to offender resettlement by the Business in Prisons organisation.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Home Secretary has had no meetings with stakeholders to discuss the future funding of the work of Business in Prisons.
	The Small Business Service in the Department for Trade and Industry is in the process of evaluating the work delivered by Business in Prisons. The Home Office is represented on the group steering the evaluation.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on changes in access for inmates to the gardens at HMP Belmarsh; what impact those changes have had on the availability of horticulture qualifications for inmates at the prison; what alternative arrangements will be made available to enable inmates to acquire such qualifications; and on what timetable.

Fiona Mactaggart: Prisoners at Belmarsh no longer have access to certain areas of the grounds at the establishment. As a consequence it was necessary to curtail a scheme of training and assessment for prisoners in several practical skills of horticultural work under the National Proficiency Tests Council. Alternative arrangements for prisoners to gain key work skills are now in place.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the impact on prison management resources of the creation of the National Offender Management Service; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: The creation of the National Offender Management Service is not expected to have an impact on prison management resources.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) assessment he has made of and (b) research he has conducted on the role of building design in delivering resettlement programmes in prisons; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: There has been no published Home Office research to measure the contribution of building design to the resettlement of prisoners. However, improving prison design and conditions plays a significant role in managing offenders and in encouraging greater engagement in offending behaviour programmes while in custody.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he (a) has taken and (b) is taking to ease prison overcrowding.

Fiona Mactaggart: NOMS keeps under review the demand on prison places and the capacity of prisons to accommodate those prisoners sent to them by the courts. It is ensuring maximum use is made of all spare capacity within the prison estate, and increasing useable operational capacity in prisons by building additional places as part of an ongoing funded building programme.
	The Government believe that prison should be used to protect the public from the most serious offendersthose who are violent, dangerous or seriously persistent. Less serious offenders can normally be dealt with more effectively in the community with tough community sentences. These can include a wide range of requirements, including unpaid work, drug treatment, and curfews. We have also alerted courts to the availability of electronic monitoring to support a curfew imposed as a condition of bail. Courts are being encouraged to use this option instead of a remand in custody in appropriate cases.

Prisons

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received on education facilities at HMP Belmarsh.

Fiona Mactaggart: holding answer 30 March 2006
	No representations have been received. Education and training facilities at Belmarsh are regularly reviewed and inspected by external agencies.

Prisons

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the education (a) provision and (b) facilities at HMP Belmarsh.

Fiona Mactaggart: holding answer 30 March 2006
	The most recent external assessment is a re-inspection report conducted by the Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI) in February 2005 and published on 24 March 2005.
	The Provider Development Unit of the ALI, which is independent of the Prison Service, continues to work with Belmarsh concentrating upon developments in the provision and facilities for education, training and skills.
	The Independent Monitoring Board produces an annual report which includes comment on the education facilities and provision at Belmarsh.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the Prison Service Plus two programme.

Fiona Mactaggart: Prison Service Plus two is a 60 million project being delivered in 39 prisons. The project is jointly funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) and is the largest ESF funded project of its type in Europe. PS Plus two works with remand or sentenced prisoner who are eligible to work in the UK.
	It aims to remove the barriers to employment and, by individually managing and motivating offenders in a range of areas, to increase their employability. In total 48,000 offenders in 39 prison establishments across England will benefit from the PS Plus two programme, which started in September 2004 and will run until December 2006.
	The project focuses on providing appropriate support to individuals, and for those offenders who are unclear about their best route into employment, the provision of Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) by appropriately qualified providers. Each of the 39 prisons has a dedicated team of workers to provide support that leads to appropriate education, training and employment (ETE) brokerage. As well as employment brokerage and careers advice, beneficiaries also receive advice and support on accommodation.
	The level of support is determined by the Community Integration Plan (CIP) which is produced by each individual's case manager. PS Plus has recently secured additional funding from ESF to continue work until June 2008. The project (PS Plus 3) will work in 16 prisons and 16 probation areas, building on the Through The Gate pilot.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the recent change in the level of provision of outdoor activities for inmates at HMP Belmarsh.

Fiona Mactaggart: Following a security risk assessment in 2005, it was decided to withdraw outdoor sports facilities at all high security prisons, including Belmarsh . As a result, the prison provides increased indoor physical education. Facilities for prisoners to spend time in the open air remain unchanged at the prison.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the average weekly number of (a) receptions and (b) discharges at each prison was in each year since 1992; what assessment he has made of the impact of prison overcrowding on this number; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: The average weekly number of receptions at each prison (both for sentenced and for remand prisoners) in each year between 2000 and 2004 is provided in the tables below. Comprehensive information for receptions by establishment prior to 2000, and generally for discharges by establishment is not centrally available.
	The National Offender Management Service keeps the impact of population pressuresincluding overcrowding 1 on prisoners in all prisonsunder careful review. The current target for overcrowding is 24 per cent. for public sector prisons and 34.5 per cent. for contracted prisons. At the end of February the year to date rate of overcrowding was 23.7 per cent. for public sector establishments and 25.1 per cent. for contracted establishments.
	In doing so, it seeks to make maximum use of all available space within the prison estate through the movement of prisoners to other prisons as soon as they are considered suitable following sentencing and categorization and which provide the degree of security they require, are suitable to their gender, age and legal status, provide facilities appropriate to their needs and are near to their homes.
	1 Defined as prisoners held in accommodation intended for fewer persons.
	
		Average weekly remand receptions (120) by establishment (121)
		
			  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 All 1,563 1,590 1,760 1,754 1,644 
			 Unknown prison 14 15 17 18 19 
			 Altcourse 43 38 45 40 38 
			 Ashfield 19 21 11 9 7 
			 Belmarsh 28 33 37 36 37 
			 Bedford 23 23 21 29 27 
			 Brockhill 14 14 17 20 16 
			 Bristol 33 34 38 34 31 
			 Birmingham 49 54 58 61 62 
			 Bullingdon 18 20 26 27 22 
			 Brinsford 40 38 34 33 32 
			 Blakenhurst 38 43 44 43 42 
			 Brixton 47 48 50 38 34 
			 Bronzefield (122) (122) (122) (122) 13 
			 Chelmsford 25 26 31 28 28 
			 Cardiff 28 29 32 31 33 
			 Camp Hill (122) (122) (122) (122) (122) 
			 Castington 14 14 18 15 18 
			 Canterbury 18 17 16 3 0 
			 Durham 39 40 37 37 33 
			 Doncaster 69 52 60 59 51 
			 Dorchester 17 15 15 16 14 
			 Eastwood Park 17 23 27 24 18 
			 Exeter 26 27 34 30 29 
			 Elmley 16 17 25 39 33 
			 Forest Bank 28 31 36 34 48 
			 Foston Hall (122) (122) (122) (122) 1 
			 Frankland (122) (122) (122) (122) (122) 
			 Feltham 64 58 59 55 55 
			 Full Sutton (122) (122) (122) (122) (122) 
			 Gloucester 15 16 20 23 22 
			 Glen Parva 37 32 33 30 28 
			 Hollesley Bay (122) (122) (122) (122) (122) 
			 Huntercombe (122) (122) (122) (122) (122) 
			 Holme House 24 25 37 40 30 
			 Hindley 7 3 7 8 8 
			 Hull 23 22 33 41 39 
			 Highdown 24 28 36 38 38 
			 Highpoint South 3 5 7 3 (122) 
			 Holloway 40 41 51 57 42 
			 Leicester 29 22 26 30 28 
			 Leeds 50 48 50 50 46 
			 Lancaster Farms 16 16 25 25 19 
			 Lincoln 18 19 25 24 24 
			 Long Lartin (122) (122) (122) (122) (122) 
			 Low Newton 11 12 13 12 9 
			 Liverpool 32 31 40 41 37 
			 Lewes 25 25 22 21 22 
			 Moorland (122) (122) (122) (122) (122) 
			 Manchester 50 43 43 46 39 
			 New Hall 18 20 25 6 9 
			 Nottingham 18 28 33 26 23 
			 Northallerton 21 20 7 33 29 
			 Norwich 23 21 23 (122) (122) 
			 Onley 4 12 10 24 23 
			 Portland (122) (122) (122) 10 2 
			 Parkhurst 1 1 1 1 2 
			 Preston 35 34 33 33 28 
			 Parc 12 15 19 20 19 
			 Pentonville 68 69 83 84 75 
			 Rochester 8 5 (122) (122) (122) 
			 Reading 18 16 16 14 13 
			 Risley (122) (122) (122) (122) (122) 
			 Stoke Heath 7 9 9 7 12 
			 Styal 22 22 27 24 22 
			 Swansea 19 16 19 19 18 
			 Shrewsbury 17 18 22 26 18 
			 Winchester 24 22 23 23 25 
			 Wakefield (122) (122) (122) (122) (122) 
			 Woodhill 33 35 37 35 37 
			 Warren Hill (122) (122) (122) 1 5 
			 Wolds 16 16 9 (122) (122) 
			 Wormwood Scrubs 35 42 45 47 51 
			 Wandsworth 37 40 49 58 51 
			 Wetherby (122) 12 13 13 13 
		
	
	(120) Only first remand and first sentenced receptions are shown. Receptions as a result of movement between prisons are excluded.
	(121) Only prisons that receive prisoners on remand are shown in this list.
	(122) Fewer than 26 receptions in the year.
	
		Average weekly sentenced receptions (123) by establishment
		
			  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 All 1,801 1,769 1,823 1,798 1,830 
			 Unknown prison 1 1 1 1 1 
			 Altcourse 43 38 39 38 38 
			 Askham Grange (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Acklington (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Albany (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Ashfield 13 15 15 14 13 
			 Ashwell (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Aylesbury (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Belmarsh 35 36 39 36 37 
			 Buckley Hall (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Blundeston (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Bedford 29 28 26 31 31 
			 Brockhill 16 15 16 18 16 
			 Bristol 31 33 32 34 33 
			 Birmingham 48 52 60 61 67 
			 Bullingdon 19 20 25 23 25 
			 Brinsford 30 29 28 25 27 
			 Blakenhurst 46 49 48 57 59 
			 Bullwood Hall 1 1 1 1 2 
			 Brixton 51 47 48 42 40 
			 Bronzefield (124) (124) (124) (124) 13 
			 Chelmsford 37 39 44 41 44 
			 Cardiff 38 36 35 31 37 
			 Camp Hill 1 (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Cookham Wood (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Castington 12 16 18 18 17 
			 Channings Wood (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Canterbury 17 17 16 3 (124) 
			 Dartmoor (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Dovegate (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Drake Hall (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Durham 43 44 39 37 36 
			 Doncaster 70 64 68 66 60 
			 Dorchester 24 19 18 18 17 
			 Deerbolt (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Dover (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Downview (124) (124) 1 (124) (124) 
			 Eriestoke (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Standford Hill (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 East Sutton Park (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Everthorpe (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Eastwood Park 20 21 22 20 20 
			 Exeter 35 35 36 37 38 
			 Elmley 20 19 26 41 38 
			 Forest Bank 39 41 48 44 39 
			 Ford (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Foston Hall (124) (124) (124) (124) 1 
			 Frankland (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Feltham 46 33 34 32 31 
			 Full Sutton (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Featherstone (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Garth (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Gloucester 29 23 17 19 21 
			 Guys Marsh (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Grendon/Spring Hill (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Glen Parva 36 35 34 30 31 
			 Hollesley Bay 3 9 7 3 0 
			 Huntercombe 9 15 14 13 14 
			 Moorland Open (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Hewell Grange (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Holme House 26 27 31 30 29 
			 Hindley 4 (125); 7 9 8 
			 Hull 24 24 33 45 44 
			 Highdown 26 28 35 34 38 
			 Highpoint South 4 7 9 4 (124) 
			 Haslar (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Haverigg (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Holloway 36 38 39 43 36 
			 Kirkham 1 1 1 (124) (124) 
			 Lancaster (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Leicester 35 26 26 26 28 
			 Leeds 74 72 71 66 70 
			 Lancaster Farms 24 24 29 28 41 
			 Lowdham Grange (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Lindholme (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Lincoln 21 22 22 21 23 
			 Long Lartin (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Latchmere House (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Low Newton 10 10 10 9 8 
			 Liverpool 44 41 47 43 48 
			 Littlehey (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Lewes 27 29 24 20 22 
			 Leyhill (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Moorland (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Morton Hall (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Manchester 63 57 54 55 46 
			 Maidstone (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Edmunds Hill (124) (124) (124) 7 12 
			 Mount (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 New Hall 22 24 25 26 25 
			 Nottingham 32 39 38 43 38 
			 Northallerton 19 19 6 (124) (124) 
			 North Sea Camp (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Norwich 34 30 31 33 37 
			 Onley 8 8 10 8 1 
			 Portland 6 6 (124) (124) (124) 
			 Parkhurst (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Preston 42 39 41 40 35 
			 Parc 17 23 23 21 25 
			 Pentonville 51 49 58 60 61 
			 Rochester 6 5 1 (124) 1 
			 Reading 18 18 17 15 15 
			 Ranby (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Risley 2 (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Send (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Stafford (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Stoke Heath 25 25 20 15 18 
			 Shepton Mallet (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Stocken (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Swaleside (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Swinfen Hall (124) (124) (124) (124) 27 
			 Styal 27 25 26 24 18 
			 Sudbury (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Swansea 18 15 17 17 (124) 
			 Shrewbury 22 21 25 30 23 
			 Thorncross (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Usk (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Verne (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Weare (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Wellingborough (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Winchester 34 33 32 32 37 
			 Wakefield (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Wealstun (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Woodhill 45 44 46 40 45 
			 Warren Hill (124) (124) (124) 5 8 
			 Wayland (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Wymott (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Werrington 5 7 6 5 6 
			 Wolds 20 18 9 (124) (124) 
			 Whitemoor (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Wormwood Scrubs 31 33 41 42 45 
			 Whatton (124) (124) (124) (124) (124) 
			 Wandsworth 39 36 43 47 50 
			 Wetherby 14 13 13 14 13 
		
	
	(123) Only first remand and first sentenced receptions are shown. Receptions as a result of movement between prisons are excluded.
	(124) Fewer than 26 receptions in the year.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of access to pharmaceutical services at HMP Belmarsh.

Fiona Mactaggart: Comprehensive pharmacy services are in place, supported by specialist agency staff and the recruitment of a new pharmacy technician is in hand. Support and advice continue to be provided through the Greenwich primary care trust pharmacy advisor.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the provision of library services on the prison estate.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Government have developed an enhanced offender library, Learning and Information Service to realise our intention to provide offenders in custody with a range of services equivalent to those found in public libraries in the outside community. A new library specification will be available throughout England and Wales from April 2006 supported by increased funding from 3,580,194 in 200405 to over 6,000,000 in 200607.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many warnings for bullying were issued to (a) governors, (b) officers, (c) other staff, (d) convicted inmates, (e) immigration detainees and (f) those held on remand at each prison in each of the last 36 months.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information required is not collated centrally in the requested format and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. Decisions in respect of the staff disciplinary process are devolved to a local level in the Prison Service. Issuing formal warnings it not a recommended process for responding to prisoners who bully. Prisons are required to be more proactive in challenging the bullying and in providing constructive interventions to change behaviour. The incidents of bullying by prisoners are monitored locally and acted upon as part of a local strategy to reduce violence and bullying.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the reliability of the statistics for the incidence of bullying in each prison.

Fiona Mactaggart: Each establishment's work in respect of bullying and violence reduction is subject to audit. Establishments analyse a range of local data to help identify problem areas and action needed to improve personal safety.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of (a) inmate access to listeners and (b) demand for listeners at each prison within the prison estate.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information required is not collated centrally in the requested format and could only be obtained at a disproportionate cost. 'Listeners' are Samaritan-trained prisoner peer supporters who provide emotional confidential support to prisoners. 2,650 Listeners were recruited across the estate between October 2001 and March 2004.
	There are currently 118 listener schemes operating in prisons in England and Wales. Where listener schemes exist listeners are made available to all prisoners, and prisons are required to ensure that prisoners have timely access to listeners. The number of contacts recorded (by Samaritans) between listeners and prisoners between July to December 2005 was 28,570. Provision for listeners was assessed as part of Safer Custody Group's peer support project, which ran from April 2001 to March 2004, and through a three year project undertaken by the Samaritans, funded jointly by Safer Custody Group and Active Community Unit, to review the work of listeners and Samaritans being carried out in 47 'high-risk' prisons including prisoner access to listeners.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the cell facilities within segregation units at each prison; what assessment he has made of the use of each of these cell facilities at each establishment; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: Details on the facilities provided in individual prison's segregation unit in England and Wales can be obtained only at a disproportionate cost. I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 22 March 2006, Official Report, column 471W on the subject.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend the local procurement options open to prison governors.

Fiona Mactaggart: As part of the public sector Prison Service procurement strategy, six procurement units are being established across England and Wales to support the operational needs of clusters of prisons. By 2007, all local procurement will be routed through these units to ensure the effective application of national and local contracts as part of the service's procurement strategy.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what action he is taking to encourage more people aged under 30 years of age to become members of independent monitoring boards at prisons; what mechanisms exist to monitor progress; and how many members under 30 years of age have left independent monitoring boards in each of the last five years.

Fiona Mactaggart: The National Council of Independent Monitoring Boards is keen to encourage a diverse Board membership. A diversity working group and a communications working group have been formed to identify and implement strategies for raising the overall profile of IMBs amongst under-represented groups.
	In addition to a diversity action plan and a communications action plan, against which progress on implementing the respective strategies can be monitored, the independent monitoring board secretariat has, since 20 March 2006, collected data on the date of birth, ethnic origin, and gender of all applicants to independent monitoring boards and whether they are registered disabled. There are also plans in place to encourage employers to release staff to take on this important voluntary role. Information on the number of members under 30 years of age who have left independent monitoring boards in the last five years is shown in the following table. whether they are registered disabled.
	
		
			  Number of leavers aged under 30 
		
		
			 30 March 2005 to 29 March 2006 9 
			 30 March 2004 to 29 March 2005 5 
			 30 March 2003 to 29 March 2004 10 
			 30 March 2002 to 29 March 2004 13 
			 30 March 2001 to 29 March 2002 7

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many governor grade staff in HM Prison Service are in their current appointment as a consequence of (a) open competition and (b) managed moves; and if he will list those in post through managed moves.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information requested is not held centrally for all operational manager and senior operational manager appointments (formerly known as governor grades) and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the availability of drugs in the voluntary drug testing unit at each prison.

Fiona Mactaggart: Prisoners on the voluntary drug testing programme are required to be drug tested 18 times per year. Data on the results of testing regime are not held centrally.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on access to (a) social visits and (b) legal visits in the High Security Unit at HMP Belmarsh.

Fiona Mactaggart: Visits take place each morning and afternoon in the unit. Four visits are available in each session. There is no division between social and legal visits.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of foreign nationals' access to language line in the segregation unit at HMP Belmarsh.

Fiona Mactaggart: Access to the language line was first made available in the segregation unit in February 2003. Since then the line has been used on a total of 10 occasions. Despite its limited use, the availability of the line to foreign national prisoners who need such assistance is important.

Prisons

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals were imprisoned in England and Wales in each of the last 10 years.

Fiona Mactaggart: Information on the prison population for each year since 1994 can be found in Table 8.1 of Offender Management Caseload Statistics 2004, a copy of which is available in the House of Commons Library.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the learn2earn project at HMP Wandsworth; and what plans he has to extend the scheme.

Fiona Mactaggart: The learn2earn project at Wandsworth prison is delivering much closer links for offenders with the Jobcentre Plus new deal for self employment. Ultimately, the offender produces a self employment action plan in conjunction with local business, who mentor and assess those graduating from business courses at HMP Wandsworth .The Green Paper 'Reducing Re-Offending Through Skills and Employment' (December 2005) gave a commitment to explore ways in which the learn2earn project's objectives can be promoted elsewhere, and how self-employment can be better integrated into the curriculum and programmes on offer across the estate.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what scope has been identified for the extension of electronic learning in prisons.

Fiona Mactaggart: The scope for the extension of electronic learning in prisons is set out in the 'Offender's Learning Journey'. This document describes the new learning and skills service on offer to offenders and is being trialled in three development regionsnorth east, north west and south westbefore being rolled out in the other six English regions. The vision for the future is under consultation through our recently published Green Paper 'Reducing Re-offending through Skills and Employment', which you will have seen.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the prisons that have a service level agreement.

Fiona Mactaggart: As from 1 April 2005 all prisons have a service level agreement.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what period a designated failing prison with a service level agreement is given to address its failings before alternative methods of provision are considered.

Fiona Mactaggart: There is no set time period for failing prisons with a service level agreement to address those failings. The time period allowed will depend on the nature and severity of the failings.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional resources above those specified in the service level agreement are made available to prisons that are designated as failing.

Fiona Mactaggart: No additional resources above those in the SLA are made available to prisons designated as failing.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes have been made in the (a) management and (b) regime at HM Prison Woodhill since the last report from the chief inspector of prisons.

Fiona Mactaggart: Since the chief inspector's last report, there has been a change of governing governor. A number of regime changes have taken place, including a more focused reception procedure; the introduction of listeners into the induction unit; and an increase in purposeful activity. Further changes to the regime will be introduced as Woodhill responds to the various recommendations of the chief inspector.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what processes are used to determine a prison's internal performance rating; what criteria are used in making the assessment; and what mechanisms are in place to ensure the objectivity and fairness of assessment.

Fiona Mactaggart: The criteria used to determine prison performance ratings include:
	cost performance and output data;
	compliance with Prison Service Standards;
	findings from reports by HMCIP and Independent Monitoring Boards;
	and
	the views of Prison Service Area Managers and Management Board, allowing for an assessment of subjective factors, such as decency and commitment to change.
	This oversight ensures the objectivity and fairness of assessment.

Prisons

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research was (a) commissioned and (b) progressed as a result of the performance testing exercise at HM prison Wandsworth; what conclusions were drawn; and if he will place the reports in the Library.

Fiona Mactaggart: No research was commissioned or progressed as a result of the performance testing exercise at Wandsworth prison.

Prisons

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what funding his Department has made available since March 2005 to (a) Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire strategic health authority, (b) Greater Peterborough primary care partnership and (c) Peterborough and Stamford NHS hospitals foundation trust to take account of the operation of HM prison Peterborough.

Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply.
	Funding responsibility for prison healthcare in the publicly run prisons in England and Wales transferred from the Home Office to the Department in April 2003. 118 million was transferred for 200203, the figure for 200506 was 176 million. Since April, all publicly run prisons will have had their health services commissioned by primary care trusts.
	In addition, we have made additional funding available for mental health provision in prisons, which was nearly 20 million in 200506. Of this, North Peterborough primary care trust received 166,000 in 200506 for the mental health in-reach service in HM prison Peterborough.

Probation Service

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much funding the Probation Service received in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: Funding provided to the probation service is as follows:
	
		 million
		
			  Resource Capital 
		
		
			 200102 595 34 
			 200203 645 40 
			 200304 (125)819 33 
			 200405 (126)872 29 
			 200506 (127)794 (128)6 
		
	
	(125) Includes 77 million electronic monitoring.
	(126) Includes 79 million electronic monitoring.
	(127) After transfer of certain functions to NOMS HQ (including electronic monitoring).
	(128) After transfer of estates function to NOMS HQ.
	After adjusting for organisational changes affecting the scope of the probation service, accounting changes and inflation, the real terms increase in resource budget from 200102 to 200506 was 29 per cent.

Probation Service

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many additional probation staff will be recruited (a) during the financial year 200607 and (b) in each of the following five financial years to deal with the impact of Custody Plus on caseloads.

Fiona Mactaggart: The number of probation staff expressed as full time equivalents increased from 13,968 in 1997 to 20,138 at the end of September 2005. This is a very significant increase.
	To meet the resource needs of the new sentencing framework in the Criminal Justice Act 2003, most of the provisions of which were implemented in April 2005, Probation Officer numbers rose from 6,376 in September 2004 to 6,529 in September 2005 and are projected to rise again to 7,244 by September 2007. By that time Custody Plus will be in operation, completing implementation of the sentences in the 2003 Act. Current Probation Officer projections go as far as September 2009 when the figure is planned to be 7,344.
	Numbers of the more junior practitioner grade of Probation Service Officer (PSO) are also increasing significantly, currently running at some 2 per cent. per quarter. They increased by 672 between 31 March 2004 and 30 September 2005 and funding for a further 700 has been provided to probation boards for 200607. Funding, recruitment and training arrangements for PSOs are different from those for Probation Officers and, as such, PSO projections do not extend as far ahead as those for Probation Officers.
	The staffing needs of Custody Plus are not identified separately from those of the 2003 Act as a whole.

Probation Service

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many trained probation officers were in post in each year since 2002.

Fiona Mactaggart: Information is not available for the full period requested. Data collected prior to 1 April 2003 are unreliable, and are not directly comparable with the more accurate figures collected since that time. The figures presented in the following table show full-time equivalent (FTE) figures at the close of each quarter from 1 April 2003 to 31 December 2005.
	
		Probation officers in post
		
			  Quarter Probation officers(129) 
		
		
			 200304 1 5831.10 
			  2 5937.84 
			  3 6271.45 
			  4 6285.43 
			
			 200405 1 6257.32 
			  2 6376.48 
			  3 6584.94 
			  4 6566.63 
			
			 200506 1 6469.84 
			  2 6529.41 
			  (130)3 6890.66 
		
	
	(129) The 'probation officers' category includes the senior probation officer, senior practitioner, and probation officer job groups. Trainee probation officers have been excluded from these figures.
	(130) The latest figures are as yet unpublished and are currently being validated. As a result of this they may be subject to change.

Probation Service

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many support staff in the probation service were in post in each year since 2002.

Fiona Mactaggart: Information is not available for the full period requested. Data collected prior to 1 April 2003 are unreliable, and are not directly comparable with the more accurate figures collected since that time. The figures presented in the following table, show the number of staff, in terms of full time equivalent value, employed in a support capacity at the close of each from 1 April 2003 to 31 December 2005.
	The majority of support staff in the National Probation Service provide dedicated services as part of multi-disciplinary operational teams. As such, these staff are generally considered to be part of the operational resource. However, in order to give a more accurate representation of the total number of staff engaged in support work, this group of staff have been included in the table below alongside those staff who provide non-operational support services.
	
		
			   Support staff Support staff (Ops services) Total support staff 
		
		
			 200304 Quarter 1 1491.00 3391.50 4882.50 
			 200304 Quarter 2 1534.20 3312.22 4846.42 
			 200304 Quarter 3 1522.70 3432.64 4955.34 
			 200304 Quarter 4 1517.04 3428.66 4945.70 
			  
			 200405 Quarter 1 1531.84 3421.75 4953.59 
			 200405 Quarter 2 1554.86 3423.60 4978.46 
			 200405 Quarter 3 1670.73 3292.28 4963.01 
			 200405 Quarter 4 1672.45 3317.90 4990.35 
			  
			 200506 Quarter 1 1705.30 3442.44 5147.74 
			 200506 Quarter 2 1765.00 3549.77 5314.77 
			 200506 Quarter 3(131) 1822.80 3631.12 5453.92

Probation Service

Edward Garnier: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many trained probation service officers were in post in each year since 2002.

Fiona Mactaggart: Information is not available for the full period requested. Data collected prior to 1 April 2003 are unreliable, and are not directly comparable with the more accurate figures collected since that time. The figures presented as follows show the number of staff, in terms of full-time equivalent value, employed as probation service officers at the close of each quarter from 1 April 2003 to 31 December 2005.
	
		Probation service officers
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 200304  
			 Quarter 1 4752.40 
			 Quarter 2 5205.20 
			 Quarter 3 5386.00 
			 Quarter 4 5416.80 
			   
			 200405  
			 Quarter 1 5467.77 
			 Quarter 2 5511.66 
			 Quarter 3 5623.86 
			 Quarter 4 5849.99 
			   
			 200506  
			 Quarter 1 5965.05 
			 Quarter 2 6089.00 
			 Quarter 3(131) 6231.37 
		
	
	(131) These latest figures are as yet unpublished and are currently being validated. As a result of this they may be subject to change.

Project Olass

Julie Morgan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions took place between his Department and the Public and Commercial Services Union in advance of the proposed tendering timescale for the second phase of Project Olass.

Fiona Mactaggart: The tendering process for the Offender Learning and Skills Strategy is led by the Learning and Skills Council as the commissioning organisation. However, HM Prison Service discusses operational issues associated with the transfer on a quarterly basis with the Public and Commercial Services Union. The tendering process and timetable for the second phase of the project was discussed at the last meeting on 26 January 2006.

Proscribed Organisations

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the reasons for including the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam on the list of Proscribed Organisations in Schedule 2 of the Terrorism Act 2000 in March 2001.

Charles Clarke: The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam was proscribed in March 2001 because the then Home Secretary decided that it met the criteria for proscription laid down in section three of the Terrorism Act 2000 (TACT) This decision was endorsed by Parliament.
	The list of proscribed organisations is kept under constant review. It is established policy not to comment further on any information or intelligence we hold in relation to a specific group on the list of proscribed organisations.

Prostitution

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to conduct a formal review of the effectiveness of antisocial behaviour orders in tackling street prostitution.

Hazel Blears: Antisocial behaviour has a wide definition and prostitution is just one type of behaviour that can be tackled by an ASBO. It is for the courts to decide whether an ASBO is appropriate in each case and what, if any, other interventions are necessary or appropriate. The antisocial impact of prostitution was a key issue in the recent consultation paper on prostitution, Paying the Price. There are no plans to have a formal review of antisocial behaviour orders in tackling street prostitution.

Reoffending

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people released from prison reoffended within two years in (a) England and (b) Beverley and Holderness in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: Information on where re-offending occurs is not routinely collated.
	Information on reconviction levels from 1997 to 2001 for England and Wales were published in 'Prison Statistics England and Wales 2002' (Chapter 9) and 'Offender Management Caseload Statistics 2003' (Chapter 11). Copies of these publications are available in the House of Commons Library and on the Home Office website at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/omcsa.html.
	The 2002 re-offending rate can be found in 'Adult re-offending: results from the 2002 cohort' Home Office Statistical Bulletin 25/05', available online at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/hosb2505.pdf. The section Measuring Re-offending, which begins on page one of the report, explains the difference between reconviction and re-offending measures, as well as the changes to the data source used for these computations. A breakdown of re-offending for those released from prison is available in statistical table A5.

Road Rage

Stephen Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many incidents of road rage have been recorded in each year since 1997.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is not available. 'Road rage is not an offence covered by specific legislation and motorists involved in consequential criminal behaviour are likely to be charged with an offence appropriate to the circumstances (such as criminal damage, common assault or dangerous driving). The details of the circumstances of offences are not collected centrally.

Road Traffic Offences

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drivers have been prosecuted for offences contrary to sections (a) 3 and (b) 34 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 in each of the last eight years, broken down by police force area.

Hazel Blears: Available information taken from the Court Proceedings Database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform from 1997 to 2003 (latest available) are given in the table. 2004 data will be available end of March 2006.
	
		Proceedings at magistrates courts for the offence of driving without due care and attention(132)England and Wales, 19972003
		
			  Number of offences 
			 Forces 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Avon  Somerset 1,554 1,636 1,569 1,403 1,557 1,555 1,034 
			 Bedfordshire 415 409 285 374 410 417 337 
			 Cambridgeshire 974 889 751 757 623 459 432 
			 Cheshire 1,835 1,743 1,426 1,309 1,075 997 977 
			 Cleveland 332 280 233 240 229 188 250 
			 Cumbria 951 950 988 922 729 571 605 
			 Derbyshire 1,057 1,091 1,011 941 629 583 558 
			 Devon  Cornwall 834 826 854 864 1,031 1,139 1,038 
			 Dorset 494 487 424 344 397 419 330 
			 Durham 393 399 432 556 436 484 585 
			 Essex 2,417 2,712 2,455 2,280 1,906 1,518 1,478 
			 Gloucestershire 746 562 437 425 644 578 569 
			 Greater Manchester 4,198 4,321 4,233 3,299 3,227 3,067 2,707 
			 Hampshire 2,808 2,218 1,816 1,580 1,506 1,553 1,354 
			 Hertfordshire 605 660 597 696 695 653 752 
			 Humberside 529 638 623 500 564 654 767 
			 Kent 835 741 555 585 557 582 674 
			 Lancashire 1,504 1,144 1,041 1,118 1,095 1,144 1,074 
			 Leicestershire 1,689 1,384 1,489 1,470 1,335 1,029 914 
			 Lincolnshire 543 364 332 290 311 310 338 
			 London, City of 156 156 157 110 99 91 77 
			 Merseyside 2,435 1,804 1,491 1,500 1,247 892 1,099 
			 Metropolitan Police 12,139 10,893 9,766 7,687 6,839 5,991 5,797 
			 Norfolk 927 924 957 966 1,288 1,070 866 
			 Northamptonshire 481 252 285 226 83 40 226 
			 Northumbria 1,027 1,151 1,143 1,220 1,072 902 950 
			 North Yorkshire 1,305 1,230 1,358 1,239 814 757 778 
			 Nottinghamshire 820 885 816 652 506 416 415 
			 South Yorkshire 1,116 874 966 632 759 646 603 
			 Staffordshire 2,056 1,826 1,503 1,845 1,308 1,328 1,258 
			 Suffolk 668 589 519 537 523 600 540 
			 Surrey 728 708 865 1,015 875 500 510 
			 Sussex 1,547 1,400 1,152 903 781 603 469 
			 Thames Valley 2,354 2,067 1,839 1,421 1,577 1,582 1,391 
			 Warwickshire 706 617 525 597 514 468 531 
			 West Mercia 1,257 1,174 978 938 1,080 1,122 1,026 
			 West Midlands 3,210 3,552 3,254 3,387 2,985 3,034 2,727 
			 West Yorkshire 2,716 2,489 1,891 1,710 1,459 1,130 987 
			 Wiltshire 665 735 393 426 589 600 597 
			 Dyfed Powys 683 519 452 395 361 442 396 
			 Gwent 387 480 371 372 308 288 267 
			 North Wales 564 491 628 532 536 509 672 
			 South Wales 2,159 2,235 1,929 1,708 1,617 1,740 1,837 
			 Total 64,819 60,505 54,789 49,971 46,176 42,651 40,792 
		
	
	(132) Offence under the Road Traffic Act 1988 s. 3.
	Note:
	Offences contrary to s. 34 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 cannot be identified separately from other summary motoring offences.

Road Traffic Offences

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the operation of section 35 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1998.

Paul Goggins: Section 35 of the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 provides for the automatic disqualification of repeat motoring offenders who have acquired 12 penalty points on their licence. We are satisfied that the risk of disqualification is a useful deterrent to continued bad driving behaviour and that the penalty is appropriate for those who persist.

Road Traffic Offences

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) males and (b) females were convicted of driving a vehicle with defective (i) brakes, (ii) brake lights, (iii) head lights, (iv) tail lights and (v) side lights in (A) Southend, (B) Essex and (C) England and Wales in each year since 1996.

Paul Goggins: The available information taken from the Court Proceedings Database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform from 1996 to 2004 is given in the tables.
	
		Table A: Convictions at South East Essex PSA(133), by sex, 19962004
		
			 Number of offences 
			  Offence 
			  Brakes defective(134) Lighting offences(135) 
		
		
			 1996   
			 Male 14 2 
			 Female 156 11 
			 1997   
			 Male 8 1 
			 Female 133 17  
			 1998   
			 Male 9  
			 Female 146 18  
			 1999   
			 Male 3  
			 Female 78 17  
			 2000   
			 Male 2  
			 Female 112 27  
			 2001   
			 Male   
			 Female 94 11  
			 2002   
			 Male 2  
			 Female 61 6  
			 2003   
			 Male 2  
			 Female 32 2  
			 2004   
			 Male 4  
			 Female 28 3 
		
	
	(133) Data for Southend are not available but data are given for the S.E. Essex P.S.A. which covers Southend.
	(134) The lighting defect data are not available broken down to the level of detail requested. Offence under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regs. 1986 Regs. 16 and 18 and Sch 3; Road Traffic Act 1988 s. 41A as added by the Road Traffic Act 1991 s. 8.
	(135) Offence under the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989; the Road Vehicle (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 1971 Reg. 19.
	
		Table B: Convictions at magistrates courts, by sex, Essex police force area, 19962004
		
			 Number of offences 
			  Offence 
			  Brakes defective(136) Lighting offences(137) 
		
		
			 1996   
			 Male 55 3 
			 Female 463 45 
			
			 1997   
			 Male 42 2 
			 Female 390 32 
			
			 1998   
			 Male 56 5 
			 Female 453 53 
			
			 1999   
			 Male 29 4 
			 Female 323 50 
			
			 2000   
			 Male 21 2 
			 Female 331 51 
			  
			 2001   
			 Male 24 2 
			 Female 252 38 
			
			 2002   
			 Male 19 2 
			 Female 231 28 
			
			 2003   
			 Male 18  
			 Female 131 16 
			
			 2004   
			 Male 10  
			 Female 121 8 
		
	
	(136) Offence under the Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) Regs. 1986 Regs. 16 and 18 and Sch 3; Road Traffic Act 1988 s. 41A as added by the Road Traffic Act 1991 s. 8.
	(137) Offence under the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989; the Road Vehicle (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 1971 Reg. 19.
	
		Table C: Convictions at magistrates courts, by sex, England and Wales, 19962004
		
			 Number of offences 
			  Offence 
			  Brakes defective(138) Lighting offences(139) 
		
		
			 1996   
			 Male 3,823 191 
			 Female 18,404 1,548 
			
			 1997   
			 Male 3,424 201 
			 Female 17,425 1,621 
			 1998   
			 Male 3,157 201 
			 Female 16,977 1,676 
			  
			 1999   
			 Male 2,364 155 
			 Female 15,638 1,610 
			
			 2000   
			 Male 2,020 134 
			 Female 13,019 1,423 
			
			 2001   
			 Male 1,610 99 
			 Female 10,314 1,162 
			
			 2002   
			 Male 1,376 89 
			 Female 10,076 1,165 
			
			 2003   
			 Male 1,239 75 
			 Female 9,444 1,121 
			
			 2004   
			 Male 1,070 62 
			 Female 8,722 953 
		
	
	(138) Offence under the Road Vehicles(Construction and Use) Regs. 1986 Regs. 16 and 18 and Sch 3; Road Traffic Act 1988 s. 41A as added by the Road Traffic Act 1991 s. 8
	(139) Offence under the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989; the Road Vehicle (Registration and Licensing) Regulations 1971 Reg. 19.

Road Traffic Offences

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many speeding offences occurred in the borough of Basingstoke and Deane in each year since 1990.

Paul Goggins: Data on speeding offences are not collected centrally by local authority area.

Road Traffic Offences

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many vehicles registered overseas have been caught on speed cameras on roads in the UK in the last five years; how many have been issued with fines; and how many have paid.

Paul Goggins: The information is not collected centrally.

Road Traffic Offences

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the average fine paid by individuals who received (a) a fixed penalty and (b) a notice of intended prosecution for speeding offences and requested their case appear before a court was higher than that of those who did not make such a request in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: Data are not collected centrally to the details required.

Road Traffic Offences

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department which police forces in England and Wales offer drivers the option of attendance at a speed awareness workshop or refresher driving course as an alternative to prosecution.

Paul Goggins: Decisions as to the offer of driving courses as an alternative to prosecution are matters for individual forces. All English and Welsh forces, when they consider it appropriate, offer drivers the opportunity to attend a driver improvement course at their own expense rather than face prosecution. 16 offer speed awareness courses. These are Avon and Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, Dorset, Hertfordshire, Humberside, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, North Wales, Northamptonshire, Northumbria, Staffordshire, Suffolk, Thames Valley, Warwickshire and Wiltshire.

Security Industry Authority

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library a copy of the Harrington Report on the Security Industry Authority.

Paul Goggins: The Harrington Report will be published and copies placed in the House Library in due course.

Security Industry Authority

John Spellar: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications have been received for licences in the security industry; what the average time taken to process the applications has been; and what the target time is.

Hazel Blears: As of 22 March, 126,199 applications had been received by the Security Industry Authority, and approximately 13,172 were waiting to be input onto the system. By virtue of the backlog (caused by some parts of the industry failing to meet their part of the agreement to submit licences over a 14 month period) the average time taken to process a licence has risen from the target of six weeks for over 80 per cent. of applications to approximately 10 weeks.

Security Industry Authority

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications have been received for new Security Industry Authority identity cards; how many applications he expects to be processed prior to 20 March 2006; how long on average it takes to process an application; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: From 20 March 2006, contracted manned guards have been required to be licensed to carry out licensable activities. As at 22 March, 85,172 applications had been received from the manned guarding sector, 13,172 were waiting to be entered onto the system and 42,323 had received a licence. By virtue of the backlog (caused by some parts of the industry failing to meet their part of the agreement to submit licences over a 14 month period) the average time taken to process a licence has risen from six weeks for over 80 per cent. of applications to approximately 10 weeks.

Security Industry Authority

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff working in the Securitas Cash-in-Transit Division are (a) in receipt of Security Industry Authority licenses and (b) awaiting the issue of such a licence.

Paul Goggins: Licensing of the private security industry, including those who deal with cash and valuables in transit, is a matter for the Security Industry Authority (SIA). An SIA licence permitting an individual to work within the private security industry is the property of the individual, and individual applications do not include details of the employer. Information on whether or not a particular individual is licensed, or whether or not a particular company has been awarded Approved Contractor status is available through the SIA's website at www.the-sia.org.uk.
	To be approved under ACS, a company needs to have met the current criterion by having at least 50 per cent. of its licensable staff actually licensed, and a further 35 per cent. pending.

Sentencing

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many criminals sentenced to a fixed term in prison of more than six months have served the whole sentence in each year since 1990.

Fiona Mactaggart: A prison sentence normally comprises two parts. The first is served in prison and the second in the community. All prisoners are normally released before the end of their sentence in order to facilitate their reintegration into the community.

Sex Offenders

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sex offenders released on parole in the last five years were (a) subsequently recalled to prison prior to their sentence expiry date (SED) and (b) reconvicted after their SED.

Fiona Mactaggart: The table gives details of sex offenders released on parole and subsequently recalled. Figures for reconvictions after the SED are not kept centrally and could be only obtained at disproportionate cost.
	
		Number of prisoners released on parole who were subsequently recalledby year of release on parole
		
			  All sexual offences 
		
		
			 200001 18 
			 200102 22 
			 200203 23 
			 200304 27 
			 200405 19

Sex Offenders

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals who appear on the sex offenders register have worked in (a) primary schools, (b) secondary schools and (c) universities in each of the last 10 years.

Ruth Kelly: I have been asked to reply.
	My Department does not hold this information.

Sex Offenders

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals already listed on the Sex Offender Register were subsequently arrested for another sexual offence in each of the last 10 years.

Paul Goggins: The data requested are not collected centrally and to do so would incur a disproportionate cost.

Sexual Assault Referral Centres

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Government have to increase the number of sexual assault referral centres.

Paul Goggins: There are currently 14 SARCs with a further six under development with the support of Home Office funding from 200506. The Home Office has allocated around 0.5 million to support the development of sexual assault referral centres in 200607 and has produced guidance on developing SARCs for local police and health services. In addition Home Office funding of 2 million has been allocated to introduce independent sexual violence advisors (ISVAs) and increase the number of independent domestic violence advisors (IDVAs). The ISVAs, to be based in SARCs and voluntary sector organisations will provide advice and support through the criminal justice system for victims of sexual violence .

Sexual Harassment (Anonymity)

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent discussions he has had with ministerial colleagues on anonymity for the accused in sexual harassment cases.

Paul Goggins: holding answer 27 March 2006
	The Interdepartmental Ministerial Group on Sexual Offending, which I chair, has recently scrutinised the operation of the Sexual Offences Act 2003. This included a review of the impact of the current guidance issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers and by the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) on the disclosure of information about the identity of suspects in sex offences before charge. The review noted that neither the police nor the PCC had received any complaints about breaches of those pieces of guidance. This issue will be included in the next stage of monitoring of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, which is due to begin this summer.

Sham Marriages

Bob Laxton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what estimate he has made of the number of sham marriages which have taken place since February 2005.

Tony McNulty: The Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 places a statutory duty on registrars to report to the Home Office those marriages where they have reasonable grounds for suspecting that the marriage will be a sham.
	Since 1 February 2005, there have been 234 reports of suspicious marriages from registrars.

Sham Marriages

Bob Laxton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many successful convictions related to the practice of sham marriages there have been since February 2005.

Tony McNulty: Since February 2005 IND has recorded 23 successful convictions related to the practice of sham marriages.

Sham Marriages

Bob Laxton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to abolish the two year probationary period for immigrant spouses or partners.

Tony McNulty: We have no plans to abolish the probationary period for those persons who have been granted leave on the basis of a marriage, civil partnership or a long-standing relationship with a British citizen or person with indefinite leave to remain.

SMARTT Programme Trials

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment his Office has made of the Smile, Manners, Attitude, Respect, Tolerance, Talk (SMARTT) programme trials being run by police in Ealing, Greenwich and Camden; what estimate he has made of the cost of the programme; and what plans there are to roll the programme out across the country.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office will await the evaluation of the programme by the metropolitan police service before considering the potential for wider application of the SMARTT programme for stop and search.

Sports Events (Security)

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effect of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 on the insurance of sports events; and what penalties may be imposed on sports bodies for non-compliance.

Paul Goggins: holding answer 25 January 2006
	I understand the Association of British Insurers has circulated advice to underwriters about issuing and renewing policies and how to respond to claims where unlicensed security operatives are being used inappropriately.
	The Private Security Industry Act 2001 imposes licensing requirements and sanctions on those undertaking defined security activities and those who supply security operatives undertaking those activities. However, those organisations, including sports bodies, that employ unlicensed contracted staff are not breaking any law. A consultation document was published on 29 March 2006 to look at the effect of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 on security staff at sports and other events.

Sports Events (Security)

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the implications for sports national governing bodies of the Private Security Industry Act 2001.

Paul Goggins: holding answer 30 January 2006
	The Private Security Industry Act 2001 covers designated activities rather than specified bodies. All those undertaking such activities are required to be licensed, as relevant provisions of the Act take effect, unless removed from the Act's ambit by one of the mechanisms provided by the legislation. As the law currently stands, some sports stewards undertaking security duties are within its remit.
	The Home Office, working with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, issued a consultation paper on 30 March 2006 to help establish greater clarity as to the impact of the Private Security Industry Act 2001 on sports and events.

Terrorism

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with police authorities in (a) Manchester, (b) Birmingham, (c) Leeds, (d) Liverpool, (e) Edinburgh, (f) Glasgow, (g) Cardiff and (h) other major cities and towns in theUK concerning initiatives to deal with terrorist attacks.

Hazel Blears: Since September 2005, my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary and I have had discussions with all police authorities in England and Wales, including those in Greater Manchester, West Midlands, West Yorkshire, Merseyside and South Wales, about reconfiguring policing in their areas to ensure that there is the capacity and resilience to provide protective services, including counter terrorism, to national standards.
	The Government's counter terrorism strategy is a nationwide effort to reduce the threat and our vulnerability to terrorism across the UK and involves a variety of Government Departments and agencies, particularly the police service, working in partnership with local and regional government and the private sector. Key elements of the strategy focus on the development of effective and proportionate protective security arrangements and ensuring that we are prepared to respond effectively to, and recover from, a terrorist attack. We do not comment on the specifics of the operational activity across the UK as this could assist those who may wish to perpetrate acts of terrorism.

Terrorism

Tobias Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when details of the operation of the charitable fund to help British victims of terrorism abroad will be announced.

Tessa Jowell: I am replying as Minister responsible for humanitarian assistance of those affected by major emergencies.
	There is more work to be done on how the fund will operate, and I will be working in consultation with the voluntary sector, partners in Government and those families affected to finalise the details. We hope to be able to make a further announcement in the summer.

Terrorist Suspects (Renditions)

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 12 December 2005, Official Report, column 1652W, to the right hon. and learned Member for North-East Fife (Sir Menzies Campbell) on terrorist suspects (renditions), whether requests are still made to the Home Secretary for the extraordinary rendition of individuals by the United States through UK airspace or territory as in 1998.

Charles Clarke: The Government's position on the allegations concerning extraordinary rendition was set out in the Foreign Secretary's Written Ministerial Statement of 20 January 2006, Official Report, column 37WS.

UK Citizenship Test

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people (a) passed and (b) failed the Life in the UK citizenship test between November 2005 and 28 February 2006.

Tony McNulty: 24,613 people took the Life in the UK test between its implementation and 28 February 2006.
	Of these, 17,240 passed and 7,373 failed, giving a pass rate of 70.04 percent.

Zahid Mubarek

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on changes that have occurred at (a) prison governor, (b) area manager and (c) Prison Service Board level arising from the inquiry into the death at Feltham Young Offenders Institution of Zahid Mubarek.

Fiona Mactaggart: I have not yet received the report from Mr. Justice Keith. I am therefore unable to comment on the report and it would be inappropriate for me to speculate on its contents.

Zimbabwe

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) Zimbabwean nationals and (b) former members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police are employed by police forces in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The data requested are not collected centrally.

UK Immigration Procedures

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a person caught attempting to enter the UK by UK immigration officers in Northern France is fingerprinted before being handed to the French authorities.

Tony McNulty: It is not current practice to fingerprint immigration offenders encountered on the juxtaposed controls before handing them to the French authorities.

UK Immigration Procedures

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many persons attempting to enter the UK have been detected by UK immigration officers in Northern France in each month since the establishment of juxtaposed controls.

Tony McNulty: The following table provides the figures on the number of persons detected by UK Immigration Service staff.
	
		
			  IDAs(140) CLDs(141) 
		
		
			 2004   
			 October 329 130 
			 November 372 165 
			 December 404 156 
			
			 2005   
			 January 292 105 
			 February 218 141 
			 March 250 181 
			 April 261 175 
			 May 228 176 
			 June 197 136 
			 July 151 234 
			 August 124 245 
			 September 165 165 
			 October 154 245 
			 November 159 258 
			 December 175 258 
			
			 2006   
			 January 152 327 
			 February 139 391 
			 March 124 289 
		
	
	(140) IDAsInadequately Documented Arrivals
	(141) CLDsClandestines
	Note:
	These figures are obtained from locally collated management information and are subject to change.

UK Immigration Procedures

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how those caught attempting to enter the UK by UK immigration officers in Northern France are included in immigration statistics.

Tony McNulty: Published statistics on persons refused entry to the UK by immigration officers in Northern France are included in the Control of Immigration Statistics Command Paper, table 6.1 'Persons removed from the United Kingdom and those subject to enforcement action'. This publication and further information is available on the Home Office's Research Development and Statistics website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

UK Residents (Overseas Questioning)

Nicholas Clegg: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether there are circumstances under which residents of the UK may be transferred to another country for questioning in relation to terrorist offences committed in the UK.

Charles Clarke: There are no circumstances under which the UK Government would transfer residents of the UK to another country for the purpose of questioning in relation to terrorist offences committed in the UK without their consent. Section 47 of the Crime (International Co-operation) Act 2003 provides for the transfer of prisoners to another country for the purpose of assisting there in the investigation of an offence with their consent or with the consent of a person appearing to the Secretary of State to be an appropriate person to act on the prisoner's behalf.

Under-age Drinking

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there were for under-age drinking in (a) Lancaster and Wyre and (b) Lancashire in the last year for which figures are available.

Hazel Blears: Under-age drinking is covered by a number of offences on the court proceedings database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform. Information on these offences is provided in the following table, which gives the number of defendants aged 1017 years who were proceeded against in magistrates Courts in Lancashire police force area, for selected offences related to alcohol in 2004 broken down by individual court. It is not possible to separate prosecutions in Lancaster and Wyre as the data are not broken down to that level of detail. Statistics for 2005 will be available in the autumn.
	
		Number of defendants aged 1017 years proceeded against at magistrates courts in Lancashire police force area for offences relating to under-aged drinking in 2004(142)
		
			 Court Being found drunk in a highway or other public place(143) Being guilty while drunk of disorderly behaviour(144) Drunk in, or when entering a designated sports event(145) Person under 18 buying or attempting to buy or consuming intoxicating liquor in licensed premisis(146) 
		
		
			 Fylde Coast  6   
			 Blackpool and Fylde  4   
			 Chorley  4   
			 Lancaster  7   
			 Ormskirk  1   
			 Preston 1 28   
			 South Ribble  11  1 
			 Fleetwood  6   
			 Hyndburn  7   
			 Blackburn, Darwen and Ribble Valley  29   
			 Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale 1 19   
			 Lancashire police force area 2 122  1 
		
	
	(142) These data are provided on the principal offence basis
	(143) S. 12 Licensing Act 1872
	(144) S.91 Criminal Justice Act 1967
	(145) S.2(2) Sporting Events (Control of Alcohol etc) Act 1985
	(146) S.169C(1)E(1) Licensing Act 1964; Licensing (Occasional Permissions) Act 1983 S.3 Sch para 4(2)

Under-age Drinking

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions there were for under-age drinking in (a) Ribble Valley and (b) Lancashire in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The specific offence of an individual aged under 18 knowingly consumes alcohol on relevant premises was introduced in the Licensing Act 2003 which came into force on 24 November 2005. Statistics for 2005 will be available in autumn 2006. Before 2005 there was no specific offence for under-age drinking.
	The court proceedings database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform hold information on other offences relating to drunkenness. The table gives figures for defendants aged 1017 prosecuted for these offences in Lancashire police force area, and Blackburn, Darwen, and Ribble Valley PSA (petty sessional area). It is not possible to identify which prosecutions were for Ribble Valley as the data is not broken down to this level of detail.
	These offences may also be dealt with under the penalty notice for disorder (PND) scheme. The scheme was introduced in England and Wales in 2004 to provide the police with a swift and efficient means of dealing with minor offences. The table gives data on the number of PNDs issued to juveniles aged 1617 years old for alcohol related offences in Lancashire police force area for 2004 and provisional data for 2005. It is not possible to identify which PNDs were issued in Ribble Valley as the data is not broken down to this level of detail.
	
		Number of penalty notices for disorder issued to under 18s for drinking offences in Lancashire police force area, 2004 and 2005 provisional data
		
			  Drunk and disorderly Drunk in highway Consumption of alcohol by under 18 in licensed premises(147) 
		
		
			 2004 207 5  
			 2005 (provisional data) 344 5 4 
		
	
	(147) offence added to PND scheme from 1 November 2004
	
		Number of defendants aged 10 to 17 years old, prosecuted at magistrates courts for offences relating to underaged drinking, in Lancashire police force area and Blackburn, Darwen, and Ribble Valley petty sessional area (psa) 1997 to 2004(148)
		
			  Lancashire police force area Blackburn, Darwen and Ribble Valley petty sessional area 
			  Being found drunk in a highway or other Public place whether a building or not, or a licensed premises(149) Any person who in any public place is guilty, while drunk, of disorderly behaviour(150) Person under 18 buying or attempting to buy or consuming intoxicating liquor. Person under 18 buying or consuming intoxicating liquor in Licensed premises(151) Being found drunk in a highway or other Public place whether a building or not, or a licensed premises(149) Any person who in any public place is guilty, while drunk, of disorderly behaviour(150) Person under 18 buying or attempting to buy or consuming intoxicating liquor. Person under 18 buying or consuming intoxicating liquor in Licensed premises(151) 
		
		
			 1997 nil 79 nil nil 15 nil 
			 1998 3 107 nil nil 19 nil 
			 1999 4 160 nil nil 31 nil 
			 2000 4 182 nil nil 38 nil 
			 2001 6 204 nil 2 37 nil 
			 2002 7 194 1 nil 33 nil 
			 2003 nil 209 nil nil 50 nil 
			 2004 2 122 1 nil 29 nil 
		
	
	(148) These data are on the principal offence basis.
	(149) Licensing Act 1872 Sec 12.
	(150) Criminal Justice Act 1967 Sec.91.
	(151) Licensing (Occasional Permissions) Act 1983 Schedule (Sec 3) para 4(2). Licensing Act 1964 Sec 169(2).

Vehicle Registration

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many road traffic offences were committed by vehicles that were registered at false or incorrect addresses in Ribble Valley constituency in each of the last five years; what offences were involved; what the estimated cost is of unpaid fines following such offences; and how many multiple offences were committed by the same vehicles in that period.

Hazel Blears: The information is not collected centrally.

Witness Attendance

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of (a) summary trials and (b) trials on indictment in England and Wales in the latest year for which figures are available was not effective because of non-attendance of Crown witnesses; and what percentage of those trials was ineffective due to (i) witnesses not having been warned and (ii) witnesses having been warned but not attending.

Fiona Mactaggart: In 200405, 3.7 per cent. of all Crown court trials and 6.4 per cent. of all magistrates courts trials in England and Wales were ineffective due to the non-attendance of prosecution witnesses. Those data are collected from all courts but are not currently broken down by summary and indictable trials, nor are data collected for the reasons for witness non-attendance.
	The Government have introduced Witness Care Units as part of the No Witness, No Justice programme to support all prosecution witnesses from the point at which a defendant has been charged and to ensure that more witnesses attend court. An independent evaluation of the pilot project found that witness attendance at court improved by nearly 20 per cent. and that there was an overall increase of 6 per cent. in victim and witness satisfaction.
	There are now 165 Witness Care Units in place, with full coverage in every criminal justice area, and they have already demonstrated their effectiveness. In those cases handled by the units, the witness attendance rate has increased from 78.5 per cent. in the three months before units went live to 84 per cent. in August 2005.
	Witness Care Units, jointly staffed by the Crown Prosecution Service and the police, ensure that witnesses receive a more thoughtful and tailor-made service, with their individual needs considered from the time a statement is first taken by the police. If the case proceeds to court, witnesses will have a single point of contact to keep them up to date on how the case is proceeding, if and when they are required to give evidence and what the final outcome is.

World Cup

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the likelihood of known British football hooligans travelling to the World Cup using fraudulently obtained documents; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: The Passport Agency has details of all persons subject to a football banning order and checks their records for duplicate applications. There is no evidence that any banned person has fraudulently obtained a passport. The World Cup Control period commences on 30 May. All individuals subject to a football banning order will be required to report to a designated police station and surrender their passport on this date. Thereafter, they will be required to report on the day of each England game to ensure they have not attempted to travel.
	To ensure compliance, the police will monitor all fans travelling to Germany or a transit country. It is rare for individuals to breach the conditions of their banning orders and no banning order subject attempted to travel to Euro 2004. The maximum penalty for breach of banning order conditions is a six month custodial sentence, a 5,000 fine and a further banning order.

Yarl's Wood Detention Centre

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 28th February 2006 how many women at Yarl's Wood Detention Centre had been held for more than (a) one week, (b) one month and (c) one year.

Tony McNulty: The Home Office publishes a quarterly snapshot of people detained solely under Immigration Act powers on the last Saturday of each quarter. The latest published information pertains to people detained as at 31 December 2005.
	The accompanying table shows the number of females detained solely under Immigration Act powers in Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre as at 31 December 2005. Separate data are provided on the length of detention but are not broken down to show the length of detention at specific removal centres.
	Information on the number of women who had been held in detention on the day in question together with the time spent in detention is not available.
	Published statistics on immigration and asylum are available on the Home Office's Research Development and Statistics website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.
	
		Women recorded as being in detention at Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers as at 31 December 2005, by length of detention(152)
		
			 Length of detention(153) Number of women 
		
		
			 7 days or less 15 
			 7 to 29 days 70 
			 1 month to less than 1 year 135 
			 1 year or more * 
			 Total 220 
		
	
	(152) Figures rounded to the nearest 5, with * = 1 or 2, may not sum due to rounding and exclude persons recorded as detained under both criminal and immigration powers.
	(153) Relates to current period of sole detention only.

Yarl's Wood Detention Centre

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department on 28 February 2006 how many children at Yarl's Wood Detention Centre had been held for more than (a) one week and (b) one month.

Tony McNulty: The Home Office publishes a quarterly snapshot of people detained solely under Immigration Act powers on the last Saturday of each quarter. The latest published information pertains to people detained as at 31 December 2005.
	The accompanying table shows the number of minors detained solely under Immigration Act powers in Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre as at 31 December 2005 broken down by length of detention.
	The number of children detained with their families solely under Immigration Act powers will change from day to day. However, internal management information shows that, as at 28 February 2006, 31 children were detained for longer than one week, and 14 children were detained for longer than one month at Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre.
	Minors are detained only in two limited circumstances: first, as part of a family group whose detention is considered appropriate; second, when unaccompanied, while alternative care arrangements are made and normally just overnight. While the detention of families with children is very regrettable, it nevertheless remains necessary in appropriate cases in order to maintain an effective immigration control and to tackle abuses of the asylum system.
	Published statistics on immigration and asylum are available on the Home Office's Research Development and Statistics website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html
	
		Table: Minors recorded as being in detention at Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre in the United Kingdom solely under Immigration Act powers as at 31 December 2005, by length of detention(154)
		
			 Length of detention(155) Number of minors(156) 
		
		
			 Seven days or less 5 
			 Seven to 29 days 20 
			 One month or more 10 
			 Total 30 
		
	
	(154) Figures rounded to the nearest 5, may not sum due to rounding and exclude persons recorded as detained under both criminal and immigration powers.
	(155) Relates to current period of sole detention only.
	(156) People recorded as being under 18 on 31 December 2005.

Young Offenders

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what national target he has set for reducing the number of young people who re-offend in each year to 2009.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Home Office has a PSA to reduce crime by 15 per cent. and further in high crime areas, by 200708. The Home Office's Strategic Plan 200408 Confident Communities in a Secure Britain set a target to reduce re-offending by 5 per cent. by 2008 compared to 200203, working towards 10 per cent. by the end of the decade.

Young Offenders

Michael Wills: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what national target he has set for reducing the number of young people who offend for the first time in each year to 2009.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Home Office has a public service agreement (PSA) to reduce crime by 15 per cent. and further in high crime areas, by 200708. In support of this PSA the Youth Justice Board for England and Wales has a target to reduce the numbers of first-time entrants to the youth justice system by 5 per cent. by March 2008 compared to the March 2005 baseline.

Young Offenders

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what (a) support services and (b) training are available to help children of school age who have been convicted of a crime in (i) the Southend, West constituency, (ii) Essex county council, (iii) the Metropolitan police area of London and (iv) England and Wales.

Hazel Blears: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Ruislip-Northwood (Mr. Hurd) on 16 January 2006, Official Report, column 1152W.

Young Offenders

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals who had spent time in a youth detention centre subsequently offended as an adult in each of the last 10 years.

Fiona Mactaggart: The data are not routinely collected.
	The most recent information on the re-offending of juveniles was published in February 2005 as 'Juvenile reconviction: results from the 2003 cohort'. Home Office On-Line Report 08/05'. The report is available on line at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/onlinepubs1.html

Young Offenders

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals from (a) Romford and (b) Havering were in (i) secure training centres, (ii) local authority secure children's homes and (iii) young offender institutions in each of the last 10 years.

Fiona Mactaggart: This information is not collected centrally.

Young Offenders

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many individuals were sentenced to terms in (a) secure training centres, (b) local authority secure children's homes and (c) young offender institutions in each of the last 10 years.

Fiona Mactaggart: Information on the numbers of individuals held in secure training centres and local authority secure children's homes, and the numbers of young persons held within prison service establishments for each year since 1994, as recorded on the prison service IT system, is provided in the following table.
	
		Sentenced prisoners held in (a) secure training centres (b) local authority secure children's homes and (c) young people in prison establishments (as at end of June except where stated).
		
			  1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 (157) 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 LASCHs 85 80 80 110 150 145 225  
			267 292 314 327 267 237 
			 STCs   125 116 135 183 181 248 
			  
			 All sentenced young offenders within Prison Establishments(158) 5,323 5,880 6,653 7,981 8,535 8,358 8,554 8,729 8,919 8,649 8,388 8,400 
		
	
	(157) Figures for 20002004 from Youth Justice Board, as at 30 June each year; figures before 2000 from DfES returns as at 31 March each year.
	(158) Not including those held on remand.
	Notes:
	1. Young persons are held in local prisons as well as in young offender and juvenile institutions.
	2. Young persons are aged under 21 but include 21 year old prisoners who were aged 20 or under at conviction who have not been reclassified as part of the adult population.

HEALTH

Payment By Results

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will take steps to ensure that hospitals with new estate and high capital charges are not disadvantaged by the average cost of procedure funding system of the new payment by results tariff.

Jane Kennedy: Payment by results is a transparent and fair method of paying hospitals for their services.
	The tariff takes account of the cost of capital, and the annual tariff increase includes an assessment of the increase in capital charges.
	None the less, the affordability of new buildings still requires effective financial management by trusts.

Bowel Cancer Screening

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the national roll-out of the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme.

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the Bowel Cancer Screening Programme.

Rosie Winterton: The national bowel cancer screening programme will be rolled out nationally over the next three years. Funding for the first year of the screening programme is being transferred to the National Cancer Screening Team in Sheffield, and Wolverhampton will be the first local screening centre.

Pulmonary Hypertension

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients were (a) diagnosed with and (b) treated for pulmonary hypertension in each of the last two years.

Rosie Winterton: At the nationally-designated Pulmonary Hypertension centres in England, which treat the majority of United Kingdom patients except Scottish patients, there were 591 patients being treated at 31 March 2004, 841 at 31 March 2005 and 1,114 at 31 March 2006.

Vaccination (Influenza)

Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have been vaccinated against the influenza virus in winter 200506.

Caroline Flint: Data based on returns received from general practitioner practices show that 8,520,146 people in England registered in an at risk group received their flu vaccination in 200506. This represents the highest ever flu vaccination uptake for the 65s and over and for those under 65 in at risk groups.

A and E (Unnecessary Admissions)

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effects on (a) patients and (b) public funds of reducing unnecessary admissions into accident and emergency departments for people with common conditions.

Jane Kennedy: In 200405, the national health service spent 1.3 billion on admissions for people with 19 common conditions. Research by the NHS Institute has indicated that, based on the best performers in the NHS, a 30 per cent. reduction in this total would achieve savings of 437 million for the NHS.
	Reducing unnecessary admissions will be:
	better for patientsespecially those with long-term conditions, who would often benefit more from community treatment;
	better for the NHSwho will be able to reinvest the savings in front line services;
	and better value for money for the tax payer.

Dentistry

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State forHealth what she estimates the average income of anNHS dentist will be under the new contract for dentists.

Rosie Winterton: We estimate that a committed national health service dentist earns an average net income of around 80,000 in 200506. The Government have accepted the independent Pay Review Body's recommendation of a 3 per cent. increase in dentists' pay, which means that we would expect the same dentist to earn an average of over 82,000 in 200607.

Dentistry

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much her Department has spent per capita on NHS dentistry in (a) the Beverley and Holderness constituency, (b) East Yorkshire and (c) England in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: Figures on expenditure per capita in the Beverley and Holderness constituency cannot be calculated, as population data are not available for parliamentary constituency areas.
	The table shows the readily available data on expenditure on the general dental services (GDS), or personal dental services (PDS) in the Beverley and Holderness constituency. The difference between gross and net expenditure is the contribution to costs from dental charges collected directly from patients.
	
		Core GDS and PDS dental payments within Beverley and Holderness constituency
		
			 ( million) 
			  Gross GDS and PDS payments1, 2, 3 Net GDS and PDS payments(162) 
		
		
			 199798 1.598 1.033 
			 199899 1.740 1.121 
			 19992000 1.882 1.197 
			 200001 2.109 1.354 
			 200102 2.322 1.502 
			 200203 2.434 1.561 
			 200304 2.302 1.502 
			 200405 2.106 1.506 
		
	
	Equivalent expenditure within East Yorkshire primary care trust (PCT), together with gross and net expenditure on a per capita basis, is shown in the tables.
	
		Core GDS and PDS dental payments within East Yorkshire PCT
		
			 ( million) 
			  Gross GDS and PDS payments1, 2, 3 Net GDS and PDS payments(162) 
		
		
			 199798 3.325 2.136 
			 199899 3.479 2.232 
			 19992000 3.440 2.188 
			 200001 3.542 2.307 
			 200102 3.919 2.515 
			 200203 4.021 2.560 
			 200304 3.926 2.539 
			 200405 3.882 2.590 
		
	
	
		Core GDS and PDS dental payments per Capita(163) within East Yorkshire PCT
		
			 () 
			  Gross GDS and PDS payments1, 2, 3 Net GDS and PDS payments(162) 
		
		
			 199798 19.46 12.50 
			 199899 20.36 13.06 
			 19992000 20.13 12.81 
			 200001 20.73 13.50 
			 200102 22.80 14.64 
			 200203 23.26 14.81 
			 200304 22.47 14.53 
			 200405 22.22 14.83 
		
	
	Equivalent expenditure for England is set out in the tables. As the notes to the table's record, the data are not a complete record of all elements of GDS and PDS expenditure. The tables are based on the core elements of expenditure for which data are readily available by PCT and constituency areas to provide a more appropriate comparison with the analysis of local expenditure.
	
		Core GDS and PDS dental payments in England 
		
			 ( million) 
			  Gross GDS and PDS payments1, 2, 3 Net GDS and PDS payments(162) 
		
		
			 199798 1,291.9 903.1 
			 199899 1,380.0 960.0 
			 19992000 1,418.9 986.8 
			 200001 1,490.5 1,037.0 
			 200102 1,555.6 1,085.6 
			 200203 1,604.2 1,122.6 
			 200304 1,673.8 1,188.6 
			 200405 1,779.4 1,311.8 
		
	
	
		Core GDS and PDS dental payments per Capita(163) England 
		
			 () 
			  Gross GDS and PDS payments1, 2, 3 Net GDS and PDS payments(162) 
		
		
			 199798 26.55 18.56 
			 199899 28.27 19.66 
			 19992000 28.94 20.12 
			 200001 30.27 21.06 
			 200102 31.46 21.95 
			 200203 32.31 22.61 
			 200304 33.57 23.84 
			 200405 35.52 26.19 
		
	
	(159) Gross GDS payments include adult fees (including item of service and continuing care payments), child fees (including item of service and capitation payments), commitment payments and point of treatment check payment training (in 2001 only), seniority payments, maternity/paternity/adoptive leave payments, long term sick leave payments, continuing professional development allowances including travel hours, reimbursement of business rates, vocational training grants and clinical audit payments. The following costs are excluded from this data; employer's superannuation costs, vocational trainee salaries and national insurance contribution costs, clinical audit convenors, clinical audit secretarial support costs and travel expenses, and costs associated with any salaried general dental practitioners and emergency dental services.
	(160) National PDS payment data are included for 200405 only and relate to baseline payments or the agreed regular monthly payments made to PDS practices. Reliable PDS data at practice level are not available prior to 200405. The data cannot identify the cost of any PDS services that are directly managed by local NHS trusts, such as certain dental access centres.
	(161) Payments are assigned to areas on the basis of practice postcode data.
	(162) Net payments represent the balance of payments due after taking account of NHS dental charge income collected from patients by dental practices.
	(163) 19972000 data have been calculated using 2001 population data, as this is the earliest available. 2005 data have been calculated using 2004 population data, as this is the latest available.
	Source: The Information Centre/Dental Practice Board

Dentistry

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many claims were received by the Dental Practice Board in each year since 1997; of these how many (a) attracted the maximum patient charge, (b) involved one filling only and (c) involved one crown only.

Rosie Winterton: The table shows the number of claims for treatment by general dental services and personal dental services dentists in England that attracted the maximum patient charge, the number that involved one filling only (and no other treatment) and the number that involved one crown only (and no other treatment) in the year ending December for each of the specified years.
	
		
			  Total claims Maximum patient charge One filling only One crown only 
		
		
			 1998 31,257,215 31,139 1,511,539 44,519 
			 1999 31,202,076 35,237 1,507,133 59,999 
			 2000 31,623,167 38,034 1,526,568 61,366 
			 2001 31,699,014 42,303 1,436,951 49,662 
			 2002 32,025,186 45,610 1,437,230 48,484 
			 2003 32,290,603 32,416 1,425,959 48,289 
			 2004 31,863,227 42,152 1,351,793 46,725 
			 2005 30,678,768 39,276 1,287,688 44,008 
		
	
	Source: Dental Practice Board

Dentistry

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of eligible dentists had accepted the NHS dental contract as at 31 March 2006; how many eligible dentists had declined to accept the new NHS dental contract, as at that date; and how many eligible dentists had not responded positively or negatively.

Rosie Winterton: The number of new dental contracts signed account for around 96 per cent. of current national health service dental services. The contracts that have been rejected equate to around four per cent. of current NHS dental services. Many of the dentists who chose not to take up the contracts have a relatively small NHS commitment. Some of these services have already been re-commissioned by primary care trusts.
	As of 7 April 2006, only 20 contract offers had not been responded to.

Dentistry

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people were registered with a dentist in the area of each primary care trust or its equivalent on 31 March (a) of 2006 and (b) of each year since 1997; and what proportion each figure represents of the resident population of each area.

Rosie Winterton: Data on the numbers of people registered with a general dental services and personal dental services dentist as at 31 December 2005 and each year since 1997 have been placed in the Library.

Dentistry

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much was spent on NHS dentistry in Gloucestershire in (a) cash and (b) real terms in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: The main element of national health service dental services are the primary dental care services provided by dentists working within the general dental service (GDS), or personal dental service (PDS) pilots.
	The tables show the available data on expenditure on these services for the Cheltenham and Tewkesbury primary care trust (PCT), Cotswold and Vale PCT and West Gloucestershire PCT. The difference between gross and net expenditure is the contribution to costs from dental charges collected directly from patients.
	Note that data on PDS expenditure are only available for the financial year 200405.
	
		Core GDS and PDS dental payments(164)(5509060165)(166)(5509060167) ( million, cash terms(168))
		
			  200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Cheltenham and Tewkesbury  
			 Gross GDS 4.142 4.255 4.396 4.495 4.598 
			 Net GDS 2.938 2.993 3.059 3.210 3.301 
			 Gross PDS(169) n/a n/a n/a n/a 0.000 
			 Net PDS(169) n/a n/a n/a n/a 0.000 
			 Gross GDS and PDS 4.142 4.255 4.396 4.495 4.598 
			 Net GDS and PDS 2.938 2.993 3.059 3.210 3.301 
			   
			 Cotswold and Vale  
			 Gross GDS 3.897 3.893 3.888 3.831 3.360 
			 Net GDS 2.645 2.672 2.734 2.756 2.503 
			 Gross PDS(169) n/a n/a n/a n/a 0.599 
			 Net PDS(169) n/a n/a n/a n/a 0.415 
			 Gross GDS and PDS 3.897 3.893 3.888 3.831 3.959 
			 Net GDS and PDS 2.645 2.672 2.734 2.756 2.918 
			   
			 West Gloucestershire  
			 Gross GDS 4.125 3.999 3.880 3.871 3.723 
			 Net GDS 3.339 3.212 3.094 3.131 3.068 
			 Gross PDS(169) n/a n/a n/a n/a 0.231 
			 Net PDS(169) n/a n/a n/a n/a 0.200 
			 Gross GDS and PDS 4.125 3.999 3.880 3.871 3.954 
			 Net GDS and PDS 3.339 3.212 3.094 3.131 3.269 
		
	
	
		Core GDS and PDS dental payments(164)(5509060165)(166)(5509060167) ( million, real terms(168))
		
			  200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Cheltenham and Tewkesbury  
			 Gross GDS 4.688 4.701 4.706 4.690 4.694 
			 Net GDS 3.325 3.306 3.275 3.349 3.370 
			 Gross PDS(169) n/a n/a n/a n/a 0.000 
			 Net PDS(169) n/a n/a n/a n/a 0.000 
			 Gross GDS and PDS 4.688 4.701 4.706 4.690 4.694 
			 Net GDS and PDS 3.325 3.306 3.275 3.349 3.370 
			   
			 Cotswold and Vale  
			 Gross GDS 4.411 4.301 4.162 3.997 3.431 
			 Net GDS 2.993 2.952 2.927 2.876 2.556 
			 Gross PDS(169) n/a n/a n/a n/a 0.611 
			 Net PDS(169) n/a n/a n/a n/a 0.424 
			 Gross GDS and PDS 4.411 4301 4.162 3.997 4.042 
			 Net GDS and PDS 2.993 2.952 2.927 2.876 2.980 
			   
			 West Gloucestershire  
			 Gross GDS 4.668 4.417 4.154 4.038 3.801 
			 Net GDS 3.779 3.548 3.313 3.266 3.132 
			 Gross PDS(169) n/a n/a n/a n/a 0.236 
			 Net PDS(169) n/a n/a n/a n/a 0.205 
			 Gross GDS and PDS 4.668 4.417 4.154 4.038 4.037 
			 Net GDS and PDS 3.779 3.548 3.313 3.266 3.337 
		
	
	(164) Gross GDS payments include adult fees (including item of service and continuing care payments), child fees (including item of service and capitation payments), commitment payments and point of treatment check payment training (in 2001 only), seniority payments, maternity/paternity/adoptive leave payments, long term sick leave payments, continuing professional development allowances including travel hours, reimbursement of business rates, vocational training grants and clinical audit payments. The following costs are excluded from this data: employer's superannuation costs, vocational trainee salaries and national insurance contribution costs, clinical audit convenors, clinical audit secretarial support costs and travel expenses, and costs associated with any salaried general dental practitioners and emergency dental services.
	(165) PDS payment data are included for 200405 only and relates to baseline payments or the agreed regular monthly payments made to PDS practices. Reliable PDS data at practice level are not available prior to 200405. The data cannot identify the cost of any PDS services that are directly managed by local NHS trusts, such as certain dental access centres.
	(166) Payments are assigned to areas on the basis of practice postcode data.
	(167) Net payments represent the balance of payments due after taking account of NHS dental charge income collected from patients by dental practices.
	(168) Figures have been converted into 200506 prices using the most recent GDP deflator figures available.
	(169) Note that data on PDS expenditure are only available for the financial year 200405 (n/a = not available).

Dentistry

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of dental practices no longer accepting NHS patients.

Rosie Winterton: Information is not available by practice. The number of new dental contracts that have been rejected is 1,026, which equates to around 4 per cent. of current national health service dental services. Many of the dentists who chose not to take up the contracts had a relatively small NHS commitment and some of these services have already been re-commissioned by primary care trusts.

Dentistry

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research her Department has carried out on the impact of the introduction of (a) tuition fees and (b) variable fees on the numbers of students applying for dentistry courses in England.

Rosie Winterton: No specific research has been commissioned by the Department. However, the table shows that the numbers of applications to study pre-clinical dentistry has been steadily increasing each year.
	
		
			  Number of applications 
		
		
			 2001 1,109 
			 2002 1,243 
			 2003 1,372 
			 2004 1,545 
			 2005 1,847

Dentistry

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many dentists have withdrawn from the new NHS dental contract since 31 March 2006;
	(2)  how many dentists had signed the new NHS dental contract on 31 March 2006.

Rosie Winterton: In England, as of 31 March 2006, the number of new dental contracts that have been rejected is 1,026, which equates to around four per cent. of current national health service dental services. Many of the dentists who chose not to take up the contracts had a relatively small NHS commitment and some of these services have already been re-commissioned by primary care trusts.
	The number of new dental contracts that have been signed is 8,322.

Dentistry

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate her Department has made of the average level of personal debt for dentists graduating in each year from 1997 to 2005.

Rosie Winterton: The information requested is not held centrally.

Dentistry

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many dentists have been recruited overseas to work in NHS dentistry in England since April 2004; what methods her Department is using to promote the recruitment of dentists from overseas; and what the annual cost of this promotion is.

Rosie Winterton: We do not hold information centrally on the total number of dentists working in the national health service who have been recruited from overseas.
	Since April 2004, the Department has recruited 237 dentists from Poland and has supported the NHS in recruiting a further 297 dentists from other countries. In conjunction with the General Dental Council the Department has supported the recruitment of a further 230 dentists through the expansion of the number of sittings of the international qualifying examination and reducing the typical time taken to pass the examination from two years to one.
	The Department liaised with the relevant embassies to help countries identify potential sources of recruitment and information regarding how to apply for vacancies in England was placed on British embassy websites and the NHS Careers and NHS Jobs websites. In addition, a 3.8 million contract was agreed with Methods Consulting for the recruitment of dentists from Poland.
	The Department is not currently running a central international recruitment programme.

Dentistry

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what software her Department used to calculate required units of dental activity (UDAs) for dental practitioners under the new regulations; what assumptions were made about current dental activity; and whether the estimate of UDAs has been calculated manually against dentists' activity in the last 12 months.

Rosie Winterton: The number of units of dental activity (UDAs) to be provided was determined in accordance with the General Dental Services and Personal Dental Services Transitional Provisions Order 2005 (SI. No. 2005/3435). The data held in respect of the care and treatment previously provided under general dental services was categorised in accordance with the National Health Service (Dental Charges) Regulations 2005 and the National Health Service (General Dental Services Contracts) Regulations 2005 (SI. No. 2005/3361) then reduced by five per cent.
	The information on treatments is held by the Business Services Authority, formally the Dental Practice Board, on an Oracle database and the UDAs were allocated using the Oracle Product Suite including PL/SQL.

NHS Deficit

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the year-end gross NHS deficit for the 200506 financial year.

Jane Kennedy: For 200506 month six, the NHS is forecasting a gross deficit of around 948 million. Some NHS organisations have generated surpluses of around 325 million. Therefore, the NHS at 200506 month six, is forecasting a net deficit of around 620 million.

NHS Deficit

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she next expects to meet representatives of primary care trusts and acute trusts to discuss NHS deficits.

Jane Kennedy: The Secretary of State and her ministerial team have regular meetings with strategic health authorities, primary care trusts and acute trusts. This includes meetings with NHS organisations that are overspending and underspending. These meetings will continue to take place in the future.

NHS Deficit

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on NHS trust deficits.

Jane Kennedy: For 200506 month six, the NHS is forecasting a net deficit of around 620 million. This forecast deficit amounts to less than 1 per cent. of the funding available. The latest unaudited data for the mid-year point shows that two-thirds of the forecast deficit is in around 7 per cent. of organisations.

Pathway Project

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when she will announce the commencement of funding for the pathway project.

Jane Kennedy: The cost and configuration of the scheme is currently being reviewed by the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS trust, as it recognises that all investments in the NHS have to be affordable to the local health economy and sustainable in the long term.

Aluminium Salts

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what steps the Government is taking in the light of the report in the Journal of Applied Toxicology of 1 March 2006 on a possible link between aluminium used in deodorants and the incidence of breast cancer;
	(2)  what research the Government is conducting into the effect of aluminium salts in anti-perspirants upon human health.

Caroline Flint: The EU Cosmetics Directive, implemented in the United Kingdom by the Department of Trade and Industry's Cosmetics Products Safety Regulations, covers the safety of cosmetics. Currently aluminium zirconium chloride hydroxide complexes are specifically allowed as antiperspirants (up to 20 per cent.) but with the labelling requirement: Do not apply to irritated or damaged skin.
	The European Commission's expert advisory committee, established to advise on the safety of consumer products including cosmetics, the scientific committee on consumer products (SCCP) has recently considered the hypothesis that chemicals in underarm deodorants are a risk factor in breast cancer due to their potential oestrogenicity. They concluded that there was no evidence of any demonstrable risk of the development of breast cancer caused by the use of underarm cosmetics. The recent paper in the Journal of Applied Toxicology claiming oestrogenic activity for a large range of metals, including aluminium, which is used as an anti-perspirant in underarm deodorants, provides very limited data from in vitro studies. No conclusions can be drawn regarding the biological significance of these data. We are advised by the Health Protection Agency that the paper does not provide any information that would suggest that the recent SCCP opinion on this hypothesis should be reconsidered. There is no justification for government supporting research in this area.

BCG Vaccinations

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make it her policy to reinstate the provision of BCG vaccinations for state school pupils.

Caroline Flint: Since the introduction of the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) schools programme in 1953 the epidemiology of tuberculosis has changed from a disease of the general population to one predominantly affecting high risk groups. The new recommendations are based on the advice of the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation and are aimed at delivering an improved targeted risk based programme. The widespread introduction of targeted BCG vaccination means that the majority of children at high risk of tuberculosis will now be vaccinated in early life.

Avian Influenza

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent steps her Department has taken to protect the public from an outbreak of the H5N1 virus.

Rosie Winterton: It is important to be clear about the differences between seasonal influenza, avian influenza and pandemic influenza. Avian (bird) influenza is a disease which mainly affects birds. Seasonal flu refers to the viruses that circulate in the human population and cause widespread illness each winter. Pandemic flu will only occur after an avian virus has mutated into a different strain which can spread easily between humans, and to which they do not have immunity.
	The UK Influenza Pandemic Contingency Plan outlines what the Department is doing to protect the public from pandemic influenza. The plan is available on the Department's website at www.dh.gov.uk/pandemicflu.
	Experts are concerned that the H5N1 strain may emerge to form a pandemic. On 20 July 2005, the Department invited manufacturers to tender for a limited supply of H5N1 vaccine. The move is part of the work to prepare for and reduce the impact of a possible flu pandemic. We have awarded contracts to Baxter and Chiron for supplies of 3.7 million doses of H5N1 vaccine and expect to receive stocks by October 2006.

Birth Statistics

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) live births and (b) abortions there were in (i) 2004 and (ii) 2005.

Caroline Flint: In 2004, in England and Wales, there were 639,721 live births and 185,415 abortions (abortions performed on residents of England and Wales). Publication of the live births data for 2005 is scheduled for May 2006 and July 2006 for the 2005 abortion data.

Cancer Networks

James Duddridge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will list the population catchment size of each cancer network in England.

Rosie Winterton: The Department does not hold the population catchment size for each cancer network. However, a typical cancer network services a population of around one to two million people.

Chronic Hepatitis B

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will introduce a universal vaccine for babies against chronic hepatitis B.

Caroline Flint: Hepatitis B vaccine is not currently recommended for universal childhood immunisation in the United Kingdom. This is because the UK is a low incidence country for hepatitis B and has one of the lowest level of chronic hepatitis B infection in the world. The UK hepatitis B vaccination programme is under ongoing review by the joint committee on vaccination and immunisation.

Clinical Guidelines

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what mechanisms are in place to enable clinical experts not included on a National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence clinical guideline development group to contribute to the development of a guideline;
	(2)  whether National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence clinical guideline development groups can contact other relevant clinical experts to assess evidence as part of the development of a clinical guideline;
	(3)  what steps she is taking to ensure that there is appropriate clinical expertise on each of the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence's clinical guideline development groups to assess evidence provided for the development of a clinical guideline;
	(4)  how many members of National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence guidelines development groups are selected.

Jane Kennedy: The mechanisms for ensuring that there is appropriate expert input into the development of National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) clinical guidelines are a matter for the Institute. Information on NICE's guideline development processes and methods is available on the NICE website at www.nice.org.uk. I understand that;
	individual experts with the relevant expertise may be co-opted onto NICE guideline development groups for specific discussions,
	the national collaborating centres through which NICE develops its guidelines invite stakeholders to submit evidence to support their work. This may include evidence from relevant clinical experts,
	All members of NICE guideline development groups are selected by the relevant national collaborating centre based on their particular expertise, either through formal stakeholder nominations or through informal networks. A NICE guideline development group will typically have around 12 to 15 members.

Clinical Negligence

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of the legally-aided clinical negligence cases that were closed in the last year with payment of compensation were settled for reasons of the health service defendant seeking to (a) avoid and (b) limit irrecoverable legal costs.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Clinical Trials

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent discussions her Department has had with (a) hon. Members, (b) members of the House of Lords, (c) the British Medical Association, (d) members of the public and (e) the Royal College of Surgeons on clinical trials in hospitals; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Together with ministerial colleagues and departmental officials, the Secretary of State is in constant dialogue with hon. Members, Members of the House of Lords, professional bodies, and members of the public on all aspects of the Department's responsibilities.
	The consultation document Best Research for Best Health: a new national health research strategy that the Department published last year included proposals for the creation of world-class support to the national health service organisations, staff and patients involved in the health research that forms an integral part of high-quality patient care in England. Some 500 organisations and individuals, including the Royal College of Surgeons and the British Medical Association, responded to an invitation to comment. Their response is available on the Department's web site at www.dh.gov.uk/consultations/. The final Government NHS research strategy Best Research for Best Health has been strengthened by this input.
	The Department funds INVOLVE, an organisation that supports and promotes public involvement in NHS, public health and social care research and development. INVOLVE deals regularly with inquiries about public involvement in such research from patients and members of the public.
	The UK Clinical Research Collaboration and the UK Clinical Research Network have brought together a number of organisations that are active in patient and public involvement in research, to discuss issues concerned with that involvement and to develop a shared agenda that maximises the impact of individual organisations' activities and minimises unnecessary duplication. One of the first products of this collaborative working will be the production of a guide to understanding clinical trials for patients and the public.

Contractors

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria she uses to decide whether potential contractors are a bad financial risk.

Jane Kennedy: It is Departmental procurement policy to consider the assessment of a potential contractor's financial status at the supplier selection or tender evaluation stage and that the assessment is proportional to the financial risks associated with each individual contract.
	Financial capability assessments are routinely sought using information obtained through pre-qualification questionnaires or through a Dun and Bradstreet financial report.
	A judgment on the financial capability of a company will be made on a case by case basis taking into account factors such as the maturity of the company, changes in turnover and length of time trading.
	The Department uses ICC Juniper to provide various levels of financial evaluation. We have also used OGC to carry out financial appraisals. Where more detailed financial analysis is felt to be required, then use of an internal or external financial advisor would be considered.

Coronary Heart Disease/Stroke

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the rates of mortality from (a) coronary heart disease and (b) stroke were in each year since 1997.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 April 2006
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking what the rates of mortality from (a) coronary heart disease and (b) stroke were ii) each year since 1997. (62410)
	The most recent year for which figures are available is 2004. The table below shows the age-standardised death rate in persons of all ages by underlying cause of death in England and Wales for the years 1997 to 2004.
	
		Age-standardised death rate(170) in persons of all ages, by underlying cause of death. England and Wales, 1997 to 2004(171)
		
			  (a) Coronary heart disease(172) (b) Stroke(173) 
		
		
			 1997 196.2 68.6 
			 1998 195.5 67.7 
			 1999 190.9 65.4 
			 2000 187.0 60.3 
			 2001(174) 188.0 65.5 
			 2002(174) 187.1 65.3 
			 2003(174) 183.6 63.5 
			 2004(174) 180.3 57.5 
		
	
	(170) Rate per 100,000 population standardised to the European standard population.
	(171) Data are for deaths occurring in each calendar year.
	(172) Selected using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes 410414 for the years 1997 to 2000, and the Tenth Revision (JCD-10) codes 120125 for 2001 onwards.
	(173) Selected using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes 430438 for the years 1997 to 2000, and the Tenth Revision (1CD-10) codes 160169 for 2001 onwards.
	(174) The introduction of ICD-10 for coding cause of death in 2001 means that figures are not completely comparable with data for years before this date. The data should therefore be interpreted with caution. The effect of the change in classification in 2001 on mortality is described in an article published in Health Statistics Quarterly Summer 2002 on 23 May 2002. More information about these changes can be found on the NS website at www.statistics.gov.uk/icdl0mortality

Diabetes

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many specialist centres for diabetes have had their responsibilities for podiatry and retinal screening devolved to GPs by the primary care trust.

Rosie Winterton: This information is not held centrally.
	It is for primary care trusts, in partnership with strategic health authorities and other stakeholders, to determine how best to use their funds to meet national and local priorities for improving health, tackling health inequalities and modernising services. This process provides the means for addressing local needs within the health community, including the provision of podiatry and retinal screening.

Domiciliary Oxygen Supply Service

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many complaints her Department received about the domiciliary oxygen supply service in Kingston-upon-Hull in (a) 2004, (b) 2005 and (c) 2006 to date.

Jane Kennedy: During the period in question, the Department received one complaint in March 2006 about the domiciliary oxygen service in the Kingston-upon-Hull area.

European Health Insurance Card

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what her Department has done to publicise the new European health insurance card; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: A major publicity campaign ran from October 2004 to March 2006 to publicise both the withdrawal of Elll's and the introduction of the European health insurance card. Activities included the Department's press releases, information leaflets distributed through the travel trade pharmacies and general practitioner surgeries and to 17.5 million households through inserts in local free newspapers, national and local press advertising, a public information film, radio interviews and advertising on photo booths and at Heathrow airport.

European Health Insurance Card

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of European Health Insurance Card forms have been processed within the 21 day target; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The vast majority of applications are processed and delivery commenced within two to three days of receipt. Processing may take longer in a small number of cases where further information is required from the applicant.

Genetically Modified Organisms

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what labelling requirements are in place for products containing genetically modified organisms.

Caroline Flint: EC Regulation 1829/2003 requires that foods which contain or consist of genetically modified organisms, or are produced from or contain ingredients produced from genetically modified organisms should be labelled.
	Labelling does not apply to foods which contain genetically modified material up to 0.9 per cent., provided that this presence is adventitious or technically unavoidable.

Heart Operations

Peter Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what has been the cause of recent delays in heart operations in South Hampshire; and what the average period of delay has been in cases categorised as urgent in the last 12 months.

Caroline Flint: The recent and unexpected closure of the King Edward VII hospital (within Surrey and Sussex Strategic Health Authority) has had a large impact on the provision of cardiac surgery for the resident populations of Fareham and Gosport Primary Care Trust (PCT), East Hampshire PCT and Portsmouth City PCT.
	King Edward VII was, along with Southampton University Hospitals national health service trust, a main local centre for cardiac surgery. The hospital fulfilled a need for a private provider under patient choice guidelines, and had strong clinical links with both Southampton and Portsmouth hospitals.
	Information about the average period of delay in cases categorised as urgent is not collected centrally.

London Hospitals

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital beds were available in each London hospital in each of the last five years.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is collected at trust level only. The table shows data for the past five years. The data are also available on the Department's website at:www.performance.doh.gov.uk/hospitalactivity/data_re quests/beds_open_overnight.htm.
	
		Beds in:
		
			 Org Code Organisation 200405 200304 200203 200102 200001 
		
		
			 RV3 Central and North West London Mental Health NHS Trust 720 747 847 640 732 
			 RQM Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare NHS Trust 449 503 509 509 481 
			 RC3 Ealing Hospital NHS Trust 427 436 415 395 379 
			 RQN Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust 1,071 1,037 1,021 1,021 1,056 
			 5K6 Harrow PCT 125 127 125   
			 5AT Hillingdon PCT 152 155 34   
			 5LA Kensington and Chelsea PCT 203 29 149   
			 RV8 North West London Hospitals NHS Trust 946 874 895 830 852 
			 RT3 Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust 387 388 392 378 421 
			 RJ5 St Mary's NHS Trust 588 635 636 636 579 
			 RAS The Hillingdon Hospital NHS Trust 512 539 668 661 654 
			 RKL West London Mental Health NHS Trust 663 673 654 569  
			 RFW West Middlesex University NHS Trust 394 388 431 432 410 
			 5LC Westminster PCT 81 50
			 RVL Barnet and Chase Farm Hospitals NHS Trust 981 1,001 1,030 1,037 913 
			 5A9 Barnet PCT 139 140 140 138  
			 RRP Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust 787 751 701 743  
			 TAF Camden and Islington Mental Health and Social Care Trust 454 424 451   
			 5K7 Camden PCT 105 105 105   
			 5C1 Enfield PCT 60 62 60 58  
			 RP4 Great Ormond Street Hospital For Children NHS Trust 263 293 282 279 272 
			 5C9 Haringey PCT 60 60 68 72  
			 5K8 Islington PCT 4 6 7 -  
			 RP6 Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Trust 44 49 51 61 61 
			 RAP North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust 485 478 477 487 397 
			 RAL Royal Free Hampstead NHS Trust 821 889 906 923 974 
			 RAN Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust 173 194 179 163 194 
			 RKE The Whittington Hospital NHS Trust 439 443 429 405 461 
			 RRV University College London Hospitals NHS Trust 952 926 834 832 848 
			 RF4 Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals NHS Trust 1,512 1,491 1,473 1,426  
			 RNJ Barts. and the London NHS Trust 998 1,090 1,093 1,115 1,056 
			 RWK East London and the City Mental Health NHS Trust 635 628 637 493 514 
			 5A4 Havering PCT 181 180 180 181  
			 RQX Homerton University Hospitals NHS Trust 523 508 473 461 491 
			 RNH Newham Healthcare NHS Trust 424 449 452 463 470 
			 5C5 Newham PCT 114 117 120 106  
			 RAT North East London Mental Health NHS Trust 624 726 757 840  
			 5NA Redbridge PCT 48 
			 5C4 Tower Hamlets PCT 136 122 190 136  
			 RGC Whipps Cross University Hospital NHS Trust 765 739 751 846  
			 RG3 Bromley Hospitals NHS Trust 551 546 606 655 655 
			 RJ1 Guy's and St. Thomas' NHS Trust 1,216 1,278 1.267 1,248 1.243 
			 RJZ King's College Hospital NHS Trust 915 966 925 913 978 
			 RPG Oxleas NHS Trust 439 442 483 452 391 
			 RG2 Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust 561 484 493 483 477 
			 RGZ Queen Mary Sidcup NHS Trust 444 453 447 435 448 
			 RV5 South London and Maudsley NHS Trust 1.062 1,054 925 967 960 
			 5LE Southwalk PCT 11 
			 RJ2 The Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust 609 5B3 583 560 561 
			 RVR Epsom and St. Helier NHS Trust 930 873 872 960 935 
			 RAX Kingston Hospitals NHS Trust 599 585 576 590 575 
			 5A5 Kingston PCT 110 117 116 154  
			 RJ6 Mayday Healthcare NHS Trust 727 729 711 727 767 
			 5M6 Richmond and Twickenham PCT 50 35 39   
			 RQY South West London and St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust 830 854 846 838 595 
			 RJ7 St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust 957 1,000 983 990 984 
			 5M7 Sutton and Merton PCT 230 278
			 RPY The Royal Marsden NHS Trust 241 231 232 241 240 
			 5LG Wandsworth PCT 85 88 92   
			 5K5 Brent PCT   92   
			 RHB Camden  Islington Community Health Service NHS Trust117 499 
			 RRQ Camden  Islington Mental Health NHS Trust349  
			 5C7 Chingford Wanstead  Woodford PCT   13 45  
			 RV4 Community Health South London NHS Trust40 40 
			 RHZ East Berkshire Community NHS Trust20  
			 RQK Harrow and Hillingdon Healthcare NHS Trust242 236 
			 RFX Hounslow  Spelthorne Community  Mental Health NHS Trust257 247 
			 RVM South East London Community NHS Trust369 367 
			 5A6 Teddington Twickenham  Hamptons PCT40  
			 5GV Watford  Three Rivers PCT6  
			 RCZ Barnet Community Health Care NHS Trust 390 
			 RG6 Bhb Community Health NHS Trust 566 
			 RA0 Croydon Community NHS Trust 5 
			 RV2 Ealing, Hammersmith  Fulham Mental Health NHS Trust 567 
			 RHC Enfield Community Care NHS Trust 475 
			 RDF Forest Healthcare NHS Trust 1,038 
			 RP2 Haringey Health Care NHS Trust 427 
			 RG7 Havering Hospitals NHS Trust 799 
			 RPN Kingston and District Community NHS Trust 444 
			 RRH Newham Community Health Services NHS Trust- 180 
			 RDA Parkside Health NHS Trust 293 
			 RG4 Redbridge Health Care NHS Trust 884 
			 RRR Teddington Memorial NHS Trust 34 
			 RRG Tower Hamlets Healthcare NHS Trust 160 
			  London total 29,013 29,047 28,921 29,034 29,673

ME/Chronic Fatigue

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the expenditure by (a) her Department's Research and Development budget and (b) the Medical Research Council on research into myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome has been since 1997.

Jane Kennedy: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		
			 Expenditure(175) on myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome research  million 
		
		
			 Medical Research Council 3.1 
			 Department of Health(176) 1.7 
		
	
	(175) Actual and committed from 1997 to date
	(176) National health service support costs, and national research programme and former Departmental Regional Office funded projects

Milton Keynes Primary Care Trust

Mark Lancaster: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many health visitors have been employed by Milton Keynes Primary Care Trust in each year since 1997.

Rosie Winterton: The number of qualified health visiting staff employed by Milton Keynes Primary Care Trust (PCT) as at 30 September in each specified year is shown in the table. Information about the years before 2001 and after 2004 is not held centrally.
	
		
			  Head count at Milton Keynes PCT 
		
		
			 2001 49 
			 2002 71 
			 2003 67 
			 2004 54 
		
	
	Source:
	NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre Non-Medical Workforce Census.

MRSA

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the average cost of a MRSA episode, including additional in-patient time.

Jane Kennedy: The costs of treating meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus cannot be identified from the information collected centrally.

NHS Beds

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate she has made of the number of beds and mattresses that are replaced each year as part of routine replacement programmes; if she will make it her policy to donate NHS hospital beds and mattresses that are routinely replaced to the health services of developing countries; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The Department does not hold a central record of the number of beds and mattresses that are replaced each year.
	Many beds replaced within the national health service are done so on a planned rental, lease or managed service basis. Therefore the products being replaced are often the property of the supplier or finance provider, not necessarily the NHS.
	Where the equipment is the property of the trust a decision to donate must be taken locally. They must take into consideration indemnity implications and ensure that there is no residual liability on the trust for product failure. Trusts would also need to consider who pays for the freight of such beds and mattresses, and whether they are appropriate resources in the developing country to utilise such equipment.

NHS Expenditure

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health further to the answer of 20 March 2006, Official Report, column 168W, on NHS spending, what NHS expenditure per head in the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire strategic health authority area was as a proportion of average NHS expenditure per capita in England in each of the last five years.

Rosie Winterton: National health service expenditure per head in the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire strategic health authority as a proportion of average NHS expenditure per capita in England in each of the last five years is shown in the table.
	
		
			  Expenditure (percentage) 
		
		
			 200001 88.3 
			 200102 103.4 
			 200203 86.3 
			 200304 85.2 
			 200405 88.1 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. NHS expenditure is the expenditure by health authorities, strategic health authorities and primary care trusts in England.
	2. Expenditure on general dental services and pharmaceutical services accounted for by the Dental Practice Board and Prescription Pricing Authority, respectively, are excluded. This expenditure cannot be included within the figures for the individual health bodies as they are not included in commissioner accounts.
	Sources:
	Audited health authority summarisation forms 200001 and 200102.
	Audited primary care trust summarisation schedules 200001 to 200405.
	Audited strategic health authority summarisation forms 200203 to 200405.

NHS Finance

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the use of minimum waiting times in NHS organisations as a means of recovering from financial deficit.

Jane Kennedy: We have set minimum standards for all areas of the national health service that must be delivered, which include maximum waiting times. In addition, we would expect some patients with more urgent clinical needs, such as those with a suspected cancer, to be seen more urgently. There can be no trade-off between meeting these requirements and reducing deficits.

NHS Litigation Authority

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the NHS Litigation Authority deals with legal claims arising from NHS employment matters.

Jane Kennedy: The NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) administers the liabilities for third parties scheme and the clinical negligence scheme for trusts. Under these schemes, national health service trusts, primary care trusts and foundation trusts can refer legal claims for employers' liability, personal accident, professional indemnity, directors' and officers' liability, financial loss and pollution liability, and clinical negligence to the NHSLA for handling and settlement.

NovoRapid

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency approved NovoRapid for use in young children; and what post-marketing data are available for assessment regarding its suitability for use among this group.

Jane Kennedy: NovoRapid was granted an amendment to its existing marketing authorisation allowing its use in children within the age group two to six years in all European Union member states on 30 March 2005, by decision of the Commission of the European Communities. All authorised products are continuously and constantly monitored by the respective national regulatory authorities by periodic safety reviews of the product and by renewals of the marketing authorisation, as appropriate.

Nursing Procedures

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether nurses may administer controlled drugs to patients in minor injuries units; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Yes. Nurses can administer controlled drugs to patients in minor injuries units under a patient specific direction (PSD). Home Office regulations also allow nurses to administer some of the less potent controlled drugs under a patient group direction (PGD), namely schedule four and schedule five controlled drugswith the exception of anabolic steroidsplus diamorphine for the treatment of cardiac pain by nurses in accident and emergency departments and in coronary care units in hospitals.
	Notes:
	A PSD is a written instruction from either a doctor or nurse independent prescriber for medicines to be supplied or administered to a named patient.
	A PGD is a written instruction for the supply or administration of a medicine (or medicines), where the patient may not be individually identified before presenting for treatment.

Obesity

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to her answer of 19 December 2005, Official Report, column 2637W, on obesity, why the Government decided not to establish the proposed National Partnership for Obesity.

Caroline Flint: The reply given on 19 December 2005 about the national partnership for obesity was incorrect as a decision not to establish the partnership had not been taken. A letter explaining this error was sent to the hon. Member on 6 February 2006 and a correction has been made in the Official Report.
	Over the coming months, the Department will explore with relevant non-Governmental organisations how it can support the establishment of a national partnership for obesity. The objective will be to promote practical action on the prevention and management of obesity and provide a source of information and evidence of effectiveness.

Obesity

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hospital admissions have been related to obesity in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: Information on admissions where obesity is a related condition is not recorded. However, information on admissions where the primary diagnosis is obesity is shown in the table.
	
		Counts of finished admission episodes where the primary diagnosis is obesity for national health service hospitals in England, 199798 to 200405
		
			  Finished admission episodes 
		
		
			 199798 802 
			 199899 999 
			 19992000 1,010 
			 200001 1,102 
			 200102 1,058 
			 200203 1,316 
			 200304 1,746 
			 200405 2,063 
		
	
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics, NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre.

Orthodontistry

Andrew Pelling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the effects of guidance provided to primary care trusts under factsheets 9, 10 and 11, on recently established orthodontic practices; and if she will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The new arrangements for commissioning orthodontic services drew on the learning from a personal dental services pilot for orthodontic care. The Department subsequently issued guidance to help primary care trusts with the provision of and financial planning for orthodontic services in their area.
	Primary care trusts have a duty to commission primary dental services in their area, including orthodontic services, to the extent they consider necessary.

Outsourced NHS Procedures

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place for verifying the (a) professional registration and (b) credentials of private sector providers of outsourced procedures within the NHS; and what the arrangements are for (i) terminating contracts in cases where unlawful treatment has been carried out and (ii) indemnifying patients for any injury caused during unlicensed procedures.

Jane Kennedy: Documentation to illustrate appropriate professional registration for the contracted casemix is a requirement of the statement of readiness that must be completed prior to the opening of an independent sector treatment centre (ISTC). All ISTCs are registered with, and regulated by, the Healthcare Commission.
	The programme is governed by the Official Journal of the European Union procurement guidelines. Potential private healthcare providers are required as part of the procurement process to demonstrate their credentials to deliver the tendered services. Material submitted during the procurement process is independently evaluated as part of the tender evaluation process, prior to the award of a contract for services.
	Where unlawful treatment is carried out, there is an option in the contracts to immediately suspend services on grounds of patient safety, and ultimately the contract is capable of being terminated. If termination of a contract occurs, advice must be sought on the relevant grounds and procedures of the individual contract in question, but the Department will provide support to national health service sponsors if this is required.
	Patients referred to an ISTC will have the benefit of the clinical negligence scheme for trusts (CNST) arrangements within the national health service which provides indemnification cover for NHS patients. In those occasions where the provider fails to comply with the terms of the CNST arrangements, the provider is required to indemnify the referring health service body, in relation to any claim by a patient for medical or clinical negligence.

Queen Elizabeth Hospital

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment she has made of the findings of the Audit Commission's Public Interest Report of 16 December 2005 on Queen Elizabeth Hospital; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: The Department was first alerted to a draft copy of this Public Interest Report in November 2005, at which point it was determined to be factually accurate.
	I am informed that Queen Elizabeth Hospital National Health Service Trust has accepted the findings of the report and, as a result, has accepted the recommendations made by the report. Queen Elizabeth Hospital NHS Trust continues to work with South East London Strategic Health Authority to address the recommendations made.

Resource Accounting and Budgeting

John Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the application of Resource Accounting and Budgeting funding rules mean that a cumulative deficit will continue to increase even after a trust has moved to a position of in-year breakeven; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: Under the carry forward regime, organisations that underspend in one year receive the funding back in the following year. Organisations that overspend have their funding reduced in the following year by the amount they overspent.
	This principle is part of the resource accounting and budgeting rules applied by HM Treasury across Government and which the Department applies to the national health service.
	In addition to the resource accounting and budgeting rules NHS trusts must break even taking one year with the next. Any deficit must be matched by a surplus over a three or exceptionally five year period.
	A NHS trust that overspends will therefore need to live within the reduced resources in the following year to break even. If they achieve break even then the accumulated deficit will not increase. To clear the accumulated deficit the NHS trust will need to generate a surplus.

Skin Cancer

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on her strategy for combating skin cancer.

Rosie Winterton: Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation, both natural and artificial, is the most important modifiable risk factor in regarding skin cancer. Recent decades have seen significant increases in the number of people in the United Kingdom being diagnosed with this condition which kills around 2,000 people each year. Cancer Research UK (CR-UK) therefore advises people about how to enjoy the sun safely, to avoid sunburn by using protective screening methods and about the risks of using sun beds for cosmetic purposes.
	CR-UK runs SunSmart, the national skin cancer prevention campaign, on behalf of the UK health departments. The campaign includes raising awareness of skin cancer and highlights the need for early detection and presentation. In 2006, SunSmart is targeting men and outdoor workers as malignant melanoma rates have quadrupled in men in the last 30 years and outdoor workers are exposed to three to four times more UV than indoor workers.

St. Leonard's Hospital

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when her Department plans to (a) develop and (b) release for development, that part of the St. Leonard's Hospital site in East Dorset for which it received planning permission on 17 October 2002 and consent for demolition on 9 July 2004; and if she will make a statement on the reasons for the delay.

Jane Kennedy: That part of the St Leonard's Hospital site in the ownership of the Secretary of State for Health was included in a portfolio of properties that it has been agreed would transfer to English Partnerships to assist in the Government's sustainability communities programme. Ownership of the site has now transferred to English Partnerships and it will be for them to release the site for development.

Stephen Walker

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what inquiries she has made into the references to the evidence of Stephen Walker of the NHS Litigation Authority given before the Constitutional Affairs Committee made at footnote 89 in the Committee's Third Report, HC 7541; and if she will make a statement.

Jane Kennedy: holding answer 20 March 2006
	Mr. Stephen Walker, NHS Litigation Authority (NHSLA) chief executive, was invited by the Constitutional Affairs Select Committee (CASC) to give evidence on behalf of the NHSLA, not for the Department. The evidence given by Mr. Walker to the CASC on compensation culture, and footnote 89 in the CASC Third Report, HC 7541, are a matter between Mr. Walker and the committee. We are aware that Mr. Walker and the right hon. Member for Berwick-upon-Tweed (Mr. Beith) (CASC Chair) have exchanged correspondence subsequent to publication of the CASC report.

Temporary Medical Staff (Costs)

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Northavon, of 12 December 2005, Official Report, column 1819W, on temporary medical staff (costs), what the equivalent figures are for 200405.

Liam Byrne: I refer the hon. Member to my reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Horsham (Mr. Maude) on Monday 9 January 2006, Official Report, column 17173W and to my response to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable) on Friday 10 March 2006, Official Report, column 1827W. This information has been placed in the Library.

Trusts (Gloucestershire)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with (a) acute trusts, (b) partnership trusts and (c) primary care trusts in Gloucestershire on their recent funding announcements; and what plans she has to ensure that any decisions on reductions in expenditure take account of equity and social disadvantage.

Rosie Winterton: The Secretary of State has not had discussions with any of the trusts in Gloucestershire about their recent funding announcements.
	It is the responsibility of strategic health authorities (SHAs) to deliver both overall financial balance for their local health communities and to ensure each and every organisation achieves financial balance. There is a degree of flexibility in how this is managed at a local level. SHAs can agree a recovery plan which phases the recovery of deficits over a number of years.
	From 200607, SHAs have the responsibility to develop and implement a service and financial strategy for managing the financial position within their locality. They will develop this with primary care trusts (PCT) and national health service trusts in their area. Strategies agreed locally may include the creation of local reserves to deal with local problems. The size of the reserves and any contribution from each PCT will vary according to local circumstances, but the underlying principle will be fairness.

Waiting Lists/Times

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will visit Wellingborough to discuss local NHS waiting times.

Rosie Winterton: There are no current plans to visit Wellingborough. Latest figures show that at the end of December 2005 there were no patients in the Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland Strategic Health Authority area waiting more than 13 weeks for a first out-patient appointment and that at the end of February 2006 there was one patient waiting more than six months for in-patient treatment.

PRIME MINISTER

10 Downing Street Improvements

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister how much was spent on (a) maintaining, (b) decorating and (c) otherwise improving 10 Downing street in 200405.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Bridgwater (Mr. Liddell-Grainger) on 16 March 2006, Official Report, column 2393W.

Appointments Commission

David Jones: To ask the Prime Minister whether he has caused particulars of the loan by each lender to the Labour party who has been recommended for a peerage by him to be notified to the House of Lords Appointments Commission; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: This is a matter for the Labour party.

Departmental Staff

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  what internal reorganisation of staff has taken place in Downing street since May 2005; and if he will publish the staffing structures and lines of accountability in operation;
	(2)  if he will place an organogram of his Office in the Library;
	(3)  how many people work in the Political Operations section of his Office; and how many of those are paid by the Labour party.

Tony Blair: Details of the key officials that work in my Office are set out in Dod's Civil Service Companion. Copies of the edition for 2006 can be found in the Libraries of the House. Details are also available on the No. 10 website.
	The staffing and associated costs for my Political Office are met by the Labour party. As has been the case under successive Administrations, marginal costs associated with the Political Office are met from within the overall budget for 10 Downing street.

Departmental Televisions

Jo Swinson: To ask the Prime Minister how many television sets are in operation in his Office (a) in total, (b) in Ministers' private offices and (c) in each building used by his Office; and how many television licences are held by his Office.

Tony Blair: For these purposes my office forms part of the Cabinet Office. I have therefore asked the Under-Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office, my hon. Friend the Member for East Renfrewshire (Mr. Murphy) to reply. A copy of the reply will be placed in the Library of the House.

Freedom of Information Act

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 23 March 2006, Official Report, column 539W, on the Freedom of Information Act, what steps he takes to ensure that his answering practices are consistent with the February 2005 Cabinet Office guidance to departments.

Tony Blair: I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave on 23 March 2006, Official Report, column 539W.

Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act

David Amess: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the operation of the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925;
	(2)  pursuant to his answer of 26 January 2006, Official Report, column 2271W, on the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act, if he will reconsider his decision not to review the Act.

Tony Blair: I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) on 26 January 2006, Official Report, column 2271W.

Ministerial Code of Conduct

Simon Burns: To ask the Prime Minister 
	(1)  when paragraphs 2.7 to 2.10 of the Ministerial Code were drafted; and by whom;
	(2)  pursuant to the evidence taken by the Select Committee on the Armed Forces (Fifth Sitting) on 29 March 2006, Official Report, column 123, whether the hon. and learned Member for Redcar (Vera Baird) wrote the section of the Ministerial Code of Conduct referring to Parliamentary private secretaries.

Tony Blair: The Ministerial Code is guidance issued by me to Ministers on the standards they are expected to uphold in the performance of their duties. The detailed guidance relating to the work of Parliamentary Private Secretaries is not new, and is similar to the wording in previous versions of the Ministerial Code and its predecessor document Questions of Procedure for Ministers.

Ministerial Meetings

Keith Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister what recent discussions he has had with the Prime Minister of Australia; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: I last met Prime Minister Howard on 28 March in Canberra where we discussed a wide range of issues.
	During my visit I also gave an address to both Houses of the Australian Parliament and spoke at the opening session of the second UK-Australia Leadership Forum.
	I refer my hon. Friend to the press conference I held with Prime Minister Howard on 28 March. A transcript of this and my speech to the Australian Parliament are available on the Number 10 website.

Ministerial Travel

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 16 March 2006, Official Report, column 539W on ministerial travel, for what reason he did not provide the date on which he last travelled by train on official business.

Tony Blair: I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave on 23 March 2006, Official Report, column 539W.

Parliamentary Questions

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the (a) special advisers and (b) officials who contribute to his answers to written parliamentary questions.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 10 July 2002, Official Report, columns 98889W.

Wockhardt UK

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Prime Minister whether at his meeting with the chairman of the Wockhardt Group, Mr. Habil Khorakiwala in September 2005 he discussed (a) the ongoing difficulties that Wockhardt UK have been experiencing in supplying animal insulins and (b) the potentially grave consequences for UK animal insulin users of interrupted supplies.

Tony Blair: My officials and I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals on a wide range of subjects. Information relating to internal meetings, discussion and advice is not disclosed as to do so could harm the frankness and candour of internal discussion.

Yemen

Keith Vaz: To ask the Prime Minister when he next plans to meet the President of Yemen.

Tony Blair: I have no current plans to do so.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Trusting in the Pensions Promise Report

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether he will publish the Government's full response to the parliamentary and health service ombudsman's report Trusting in the Pensions Promise before the summer recess.

Stephen Timms: Yes.

Absenteeism

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what was the total number of days lost due to (a) sickness absence and (b) unauthorised absence in (i) his Department, (ii) its agencies and (iii) its non-departmental public bodies was in each year between 2000 and 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: The information is in the following tables.
	Days lost to sickness
	The information available is contained in the following tables. The figures represent average working days lost per staff year, and have been drawn from the Cabinet Office's annual reports on sickness absence in the civil service. The information for 2005 is not yet available.
	The Department for Work and Pensions was formed in 2001. The overall figures prior to this date relate to absence levels in the Department of Social Security and the Employment Service. A comprehensive breakdown of the DSS' agencies' figures in 2000 is not available.
	
		Table 1. Sickness absence information for the former DSS and ES
		
			 Department 2000 
		
		
			 Employment Service 11.8 
			 Department of Social Security 11.0 
		
	
	
		Table 2. Sickness absence information for DWP
		
			 Business 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Appeals Service 
			 Child Support Agency 11.0 11.6 13.8 11.6 
			 Disability and Carers Service 
			 Employment Service 12.8 13.5   
			 Jobcentre Plus (Benefits Agency pre- 2002) 10.6 10.8 12.0 9.8 
			 The Pensions Service   10.5 9.5 
			 DWP overall 11.1 10.8 11.6 9.6 
		
	
	Days lost to unauthorised absence
	The available information is in the following tables. Information about unauthorised absences in DWP prior to 2003 in not fully available. There is no centrally-held information within DWP about absence patterns in the non-departmental public bodies attached to DWP.
	The vast majority of days lost are through industrial action. Days lost for reasons other than industrial action are negligible. If they occur, they are dealt with under the Department's disciplinary procedures.
	
		Table 3. Average working days lost due to all unauthorised absences
		
			 DWP Business 2003 2004 2005 (to end October) 
		
		
			 Appeals Service
			 Child Support Agency 0.01 2.21 0.03 
			 Disability and Carers Service 0.01 1.94 0.03 
			 Jobcentre Plus 0.02 2.08 0.03 
			 The Pensions Service 0.01 2.14 0.03 
			 Overall 0.01 2.08 0.03 
		
	
	
		Table 4. Average working days lost due to unauthorised absence, excluding industrial action
		
			 DWP Business 2003 2004 2005 (to end October) 
		
		
			 Appeals Service
			 Child Support Agency 0.01 0.04 0.03 
			 Disability and Carers Service 0.01 0.02 0.03 
			 Jobcentre Plus 0.01 0.04 0.03 
			 The Pensions Service 0.01 0.07 0.03 
			 Overall 0.01 0.04 0.03

Benefits

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to allow payment of benefits to be sent to elderly and infirm people who are unable to collect the payments themselves and do not have close relatives who can collect them on their behalf.

James Plaskitt: There are well established arrangements in place to ensure that elderly and infirm people in this situation can receive their benefit payments through a nominated third party if necessary and there are no proposals to change them. The precise nature of these arrangements depend on whether the person is capable of managing their own affairs and which method of payment best suits their needs and circumstances.
	Most banks and building societies have arrangements that will allow someone to access the customer's account with the customer's permission. Some accounts that offer cheque books or building society passbooks may provide more flexibility in these circumstances. Customers who cannot be paid directly into an account are paid by means of a cheque which can be cashed by a third party if the customer is unable to collect the payment themselves.

Benefits

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Ribble Valley received (a) widow's benefit, (b) housing benefit, (c) council tax benefit and (d) income support in each year since 1997.

James Plaskitt: Widows benefit is not available broken down geographically prior to 1999. Housing benefit and council tax benefit figures are not available broken down by parliamentary constituency; local authority figures have been provided.
	The available information is in the following tables.
	
		Widows benefit and bereavement benefit claimants in the Ribble Valley parliamentary constituency: each August 19992005
		
			  Widows benefit Bereavement benefit 
		
		
			 1999 400 n/a 
			 2000 400 n/a 
			 2001 400 (177) 
			 2002 300 100 
			 2003 300 100 
			 2004 200 100 
			 2005 200 100 
		
	
	n/a = Figures are not applicable.
	(177) Nil or negligible.
	Notes:
	1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2. Bereavement Benefit, which replaced Widows Benefit for new claims, was introduced in April 2001.
	Source:
	DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent.
	
		Housing benefit and council tax benefit caseloads: Ribble Valley borough council; each August from 1997 to 2005
		
			  Housing benefit Council tax benefit 
		
		
			 1997 1,500 2,400 
			 1998 1,500 2,300 
			 1999 1,400 2,200 
			 2000 1,400 2,100 
			 2001 1,400 2,100 
			 2002 1,400 2,100 
			 2003 1,400 2,100 
			 2004 1,400 2,200 
			 2005 1,500 2,300 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The data refer to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.
	2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred.
	3. Council Tax Benefit totals exclude any Second Adult Rebate cases.
	4. Housing Benefit figures exclude any Extended Payment cases.
	Source:
	Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count taken in August 1997 to August 2005.
	
		Income support claimants (excluding Minimum Income Guarantee) in the Ribble Valley parliamentary constituency; each August from 1997 to 2005
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1997 1,500 
			 1998 1,400 
			 1999 1,500 
			 2000 1,400 
			 2001 1,400 
			 2002 1,400 
			 2003 1,400 
			 2004 1,300 
			 2005 1,300 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures for August 1999 to August 2005 are from the DWP 100 per cent. Work  Pensions Longitudinal Study, while figures for August 1997 and August 1998 are derived by applying 5 per cent. proportions to 100 per cent. totals.
	2. Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred.
	3. Income Support figures exclude Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG); Pension Credit replaced MIG on the 6 October 2003 and ended IS entitlement to customers aged 60+. Pension Credit cases are not included in the figures in the table.
	Source:
	DWP Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS) and DWP Information Directorate 5 per cent. samples

Benefits

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many Wirral West residents have received council tax benefit in each of the last five years.

James Plaskitt: Council tax benefit figures are not available broken down by parliamentary constituency. The information for Wirral Metroplitain Borough Council is in the table.
	
		Council tax benefit recipients in the Wirral Metroplitain borough council area; each August, 2001 to 2005
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2001 34,600 
			 2002 34,600 
			 2003 33,900 
			 2004 35,000 
			 2005 34,700 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Numbers are rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2. Figures refer to households which may be a single person or a couple.
	3. Figures exclude any Single Adult Rebate cases.
	Source:
	Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count taken between August 2001 and August 2005.

Benefits

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much has been spent on housing benefit in (a) cash and (b) real terms in each year since 199798.

James Plaskitt: The information is in the following tables.
	
		Housing benefit expenditure, cash (Nominal) terms
		
			   million 
			  Housing benefit Discretionary housing payments Housing benefit and discretionary housing payments 
		
		
			 199798 outturn 11,176 n/a 11,176 
			 199899 outturn 11,065 n/a 11,065 
			 19992000 outturn 11,066 n/a 11,066 
			 200001 outturn 11,166 n/a 11,166 
			 200102 outturn 11,569 20 11,589 
			 200203 outturn 12,617 20 12,637 
			 200304 outturn 12,325 20 12,345 
			 200405 estimated outturn 13,145 20 13,165 
			 200506 estimated outturn 13,895 20 14,005 
			 200607 forecast 14,578 20 14,598 
		
	
	n/a = not applicable; Discretionary Housing Payments were introduced in July
	2001.
	Source:
	DWP Budget 2006 Expenditure Tables.
	
		Housing benefit expenditure, real terms 200607 prices
		
			   million 
			  Housing benefit Discretionary housing payments Housing benefit and discretionary housing payments 
		
		
			 199798 outturn 13,736 n/a 13,736 
			 199899 outturn 13,256 n/a 13,256 
			 19992000 outturn 13,001 n/a 13,001 
			 200001 outturn 12,949 n/a 12,949 
			 200102 outturn 13,092 23 13,115 
			 200203 outturn 13,839 22 13,860 
			 200304 outturn 13,173 21 13,195 
			 200405 estimated outturn 13,748 21 13,768 
			 200506 estimated outturn 14,326 20 14,347 
			 200607 forecast 14,578 20 14,598 
		
	
	n/a = not applicable; Discretionary Housing Payments were introduced in July 2001.
	Source:
	DWP Budget 2006 Expenditure Tables.

Benefits

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the annual increase in housing benefit if the single room rent rule for people aged under 25 years was abolished;
	(2)  what the cost would be of abolishing the housing benefit single room rent rule for people aged under 25 years.

James Plaskitt: The cost of abolishing the Housing Benefit single room rent rule for people aged under 25 years has been estimated to be at least 20 million per year.
	This estimate cost is rounded to the nearest 10 million and does not include any behavioural effects.

Benefits

Stephen Crabb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether existing recipients of incapacity benefit will be able to receive the planned (a) higher rates of benefit and (b) additional services for which new claimants will be eligible.

Anne McGuire: We are determined to ensure that people already on incapacity benefits are treated fairly, while also ensuring that they have the right levels of support and encouragement to help them return to work where this is possible. We are therefore proposing that people already on incapacity benefits should have their existing benefit level protected but should also be able to benefit from the support we offer. Indeed, existing claimants in Pathways areas have always been able to volunteer for the programme and many already do. We have set out our proposals in the Green Paper A new deal for welfare: Empowering people to work (Cm 6730) published on 24 January 2006; available in the Library.

Benefits

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Scotland are in receipt of long-term incapacity benefit, broken down by (a) local authority and (b) constituency; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: The information is in the tables.
	
		Incapacity benefit (IB) beneficiaries in receipt of IB long-term rate, as at 31 August 2005; by parliamentary constituency
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 All Scotland 158,200 
			 Aberdeen North 3,100 
			 Aberdeen South 1,800 
			 Airdrie and Shotts 4,300 
			 Angus 1,900 
			 Argyll and Bute 2,000 
			 Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock 3,200 
			 Banff and Buchan 2,500 
			 Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk 2,000 
			 Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross 1,700 
			 Central Ayrshire 2,700 
			 Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill 4,400 
			 Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East 3,200 
			 Dumfries and Galloway 2,600 
			 Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale 2,000 
			 Dundee East 2,500 
			 Dundee West 3,100 
			 Dunfermline and West Fife 2,700 
			 East Dunbartonshire 1,500 
			 East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow 2,800 
			 East Lothian 2,300 
			 East Renfrewshire 1,900 
			 Edinburgh East 2,500 
			 Edinburgh North and Leith 1,900 
			 Edinburgh South 1,400 
			 Edinburgh South West 1,900 
			 Edinburgh West 1,500 
			 Falkirk 3,500 
			 Glasgow Central 3,500 
			 Glasgow East 5,100 
			 Glasgow North 2,200 
			 Glasgow North East 4,500 
			 Glasgow North West 3,500 
			 Glasgow South 3,300 
			 Glasgow South West 3,900 
			 Glenrothes 3,400 
			 Gordon 1,400 
			 Inverclyde 3,600 
			 Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey 2,100 
			 Kilmarnock and Loudoun 2,800 
			 Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath 3,100 
			 Lanark and Hamilton East 3,800 
			 Linlithgow and East Falkirk 3,400 
			 Livingston 3,400 
			 Midlothian 2,300 
			 Moray 1,900 
			 Motherwell and Wishaw 4,000 
			 Na h-Eileanan an far 700 
			 North Ayrshire and Arran 3,100 
			 North East Fife 1,500 
			 Ochil and South Perthshire 2,600 
			 Orkney and Shetland 800 
			 Paisley and Renfrewshire North 2,900 
			 Paisley and Renfrewshire South 3,200 
			 Perth and North Perthshire 1,900 
			 Ross, Skye and Lochaber 1,500 
			 Rutherglen and Hamilton West 4,600 
			 Stirling 2,200 
			 West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine 1,100 
			 West Dunbartonshire 3,600 
		
	
	
		Incapacity Benefit (IB) beneficiaries in receipt of IB long-term rate, as at 31st August 2005; by local authority
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 All Scotland 158,200 
			 Aberdeen City 5,400 
			 Aberdeenshire 4,500 
			 Angus 2,400 
			 Argyll and Bute 2,000 
			 Clackmannanshire 2,000 
			 Dumfries and Galloway 4,000 
			 Dundee City 5,100 
			 East Ayrshire 4,000 
			 East Dunbartonshire 2,300 
			 East Lothian 2,300 
			 East Renfrewshire 1,900 
			 Edinburgh, City of 9,200 
			 Eilean Siar 700 
			 Falkirk 5,100 
			 Fife 10,700 
			 Glasgow City 26,000 
			 Highland 5,300 
			 Inverclyde 3,600 
			 Midlothian 2,300 
			 Moray 1,900 
			 North Ayrshire 4,700 
			 North Lanarkshire 15,100 
			 Orkney Islands 400 
			 Perth and Kinross 2,600 
			 Renfrewshire 6,100 
			 Scottish Borders 2,300 
			 Shetland Islands 400 
			 South Ayrshire 3,200 
			 South Lanarkshire 11,600 
			 Stirling 2,200 
			 West Dunbartonshire 3,600 
			 West Lothian 5,300 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2. Figures may not sum due to rounding.
	Source:
	DWP Information Directorate, Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study, 100 per cent. data.

Benefits

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what criteria were used in making the decision that people in receipt of incapacity benefit should not be eligible for social fund grants; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: It has been a long-standing policy of successive Governments to focus help with one-off expenses on those people who have to manage on the lowest incomes.
	When the social fund was set up eligibility was confined to those getting income support (IS) in the same way that eligibility for single payments had been restricted to those getting supplementary benefit.
	Eligibility for the current scheme replicates the eligibility criteria for the previous scheme. And this continued to be the case when jobseeker's allowance was introduced with only the income-based partpreviously provided through ISbeing a passport to the discretionary social fund. Basing eligibility for discretionary social fund payments (apart from crisis loans) on means tested income replacement benefits provides a clear distinction between those who are eligible to apply for help and those who are not.
	This ensures that available resources are targeted at the poorest and enables the scheme to be administered without additional, complex means tests being used solely for social fund purposes.

Call Centres

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether all call centres operated by his Department advise people on both benefit entitlement and employment opportunities.

Anne McGuire: The Department's contact centres deliver services tailored to the needs of specific groups of customers. Only those contact centres that are part of Jobcentre Plus Direct, dealing with Jobseeker Direct and benefit claims advise on employment opportunities in addition to benefit entitlement.

Call Centres

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent by his Department on running call centres in (a) 200405 and (b) the first half of 200506, broken down by region.

Anne McGuire: In their recent study Department for Work and Pensions, Delivering effective services through contact centres, the National Audit Office estimated that DWP contact centres cost 190 million to run in 200405.
	As contact centres are an integral part of the businesses they support, it is not possible to precisely identify the specific costs of the call centre element. For example, the pension centres perform both contact centre and claims processing functions and it is not possible to precisely allocate the costs between these two functions.

Call Centres

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) calls and (b) calls originating from (i) Edinburgh and (ii) Scotland were unanswered by his Department's call centres in (A) 200405 and (B) the first half of 200506.

Anne McGuire: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 14 November 2005, Official Report, column 1056W, which gives information on all calls. Information on where calls originate from is not collated.

Capita

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many tenders (a) Capita plc. and (b) its subsidiaries have submitted to his Department in each of the last three years; and how many tenders were successful.

Margaret Hodge: holding answer 29 March 2006
	The information is as follows:
	(a) The number of tenders Capita plc. has submitted in the last three years and those that were successful
	In 2006 Capita tendered for the Travel Management lot on the Government wide Travel Framework Agreement which includes DWP.
	In 2004 Capita tendered for the Records Storage contract and were successful.
	In 2003 Capita were awarded a place on four lots on the DWP Consultancy and Professional Services Framework Agreement. Since then they have been invited to 30 tenders and were successful in seven.
	(b) The number of tenders subsidiaries have submitted in the last three years and those that were successful
	In 2005 Capita Business Services Ltd. submitted tenders for three lots on the Communications Framework Agreement and was successful in one, Internal Communications Consultancy. They have not yet been awarded any business.
	In 2006 Lonsdale Travel Ltd. tendered for five lots on the Government wide Travel Framework Agreement which includes DWP. They were successful in only one lot, Air and Ferry travel and have not yet been awarded any business.
	In 2005 Veredus Executive Recruitment tendered for work through the Cabinet Office Framework Agreement for Executive Level Recruitment, to run a DWP SCS recruitment campaign and were successful.
	In 2005 Capita Business Services Ltd. were awarded a place on two lots on the Department's UNITY Framework Agreement for the procurement of IS/IT services. They have not yet been awarded any business.

Child Poverty

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of children have been living in families with incomes of 40 per cent. or less of median income after housing costs in each year from 199596 to 200506; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The information requested is not available.

Child Support

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the backlog is of Child Support Agency cases; what plans he has to reduce the backlog; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  by what date the Child Support Agency will have cleared its backlog of cases; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The administration of the Child Support Agency is the matter for the Chief Executive. He will write to the hon. Member with the information requested.
	Letter from Hilary Reynolds, dated 18 April 2006
	In reply to your Parliamentary Question about the Child Support Agency, the Secretary of State promised a substantive reply from the Chief Executive. The Chief Executive is currently unavailable as he is communicating the Operational Improvement Plan to all Agency staff. I am responding on his behalf.
	You asked the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the backlog is of Child Support Agency cases; what plans he has to reduce the backlog; and if he will make a statement.
	You also asked, by what date the Child Support Agency will have cleared its backlog of cases; and if he will make a statement.
	As at December 2005, the Agency had a total 327,000 uncleared potential applications. This consisted of 68,000 old scheme applications and 259,000 new scheme applications. These figures can be found in table 2 of the latest issue Agency's Quarterly Summary Statistics (QSS), a copy of which is available in the House library.
	In the Operational Improvement Plan announced by the Secretary of State on 9th February 2006, the Agency set itself a target to reduce the volume of uncleared applications to the point where, by March 2008, 80% of new applications will be cleared within 18 weeks, and by March 2009, 80% of new applications will be cleared within 12 weeks. In addition, by March 2009, there will be no backlog in this area.
	As a first step towards achieving these improvements, the Secretary of State has set the Agency a target for reducing the volume of uncleared new scheme applications over the coming year. By 31 March 2007 the Agency is to reduce the volume of uncleared new applications by 25% of the number outstanding in March 2006. This is supported by a throughput target under which the Agency will, by 31 March 2007, clear 55% of new applications within 12 weeks of receipt and 80% within 26 weeks. These and other Secretary of State targets were published in the Agency's annual Business Plan on 30th March.
	It should be noted that figures presented in this answer have been rounded to the nearest thousand, and percentages to the nearest whole percent.
	I hope you find this helpful.

Child Support

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what targets have been set for the Child Support Agency for each quarter from 2005 Q4 to 2007 Q4; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: Annual targets for the Child Support Agency can be found listed in the Agency's Business Plans for the relevant year. They are set out as follows:
	Target 200405
	Case Compliance
	By 31 March 2005 to be collecting child maintenance and/or arrears from 78 per cent. of all cases with a maintenance liability using the collection service.
	Cash Compliance
	By 31 March 2005 to be collecting 75 per cent. of child maintenance and/or arrears due to be paid through the collection service.
	Accuracy
	By 31 March 2005 accuracy on the last decision made for all maintenance calculations checked in the year to be correct to the nearest penny in at least 90 per cent. of cases.
	Customer Perception
	To develop and introduce a client perception target by October 2004.
	Debt
	To develop and introduce a debt reduction target by October 2004.
	Unit Costs
	Achieve a cost per case of 202.
	Target 200506
	Case Compliance
	By 31 March 2006 to be collecting child maintenance and/or arrears from 78 per cent. of all cases with a maintenance liability using the collection service.
	Cash Compliance
	By 31 March 2006 to be collecting 75 per cent. of child maintenance and/or arrears due to be paid through the collection service.
	Accuracy
	By 31 March 2006 accuracy on the last decision made for all maintenance calculations checked in the year to be correct to the nearest penny in at least 90 per cent. of cases.
	Debt
	To collect arrears equivalent to 30 per cent. amount accruing (as a result of non-payment of regular maintenance) between 1 April 2005 and 31 March 2006.
	Unit Costs
	Achieve a cost per case of 202.
	Target 200607
	Collection rate
	By 31 March 2007, where maintenance is paid through the collection service the Agency will collect, on average across both the new and old schemes, 90 per cent. of the amount due.
	Maintenance outcome
	By 31 March 2007, in 65 per cent. of cases across both the new and old schemes in which a liability to pay maintenance exists, the non resident parent has either made a payment via the collection service, or a Maintenance Direct arrangement is in place. In addition, further ensuring that at least this level of performance is achieved for those new scheme cases in which the parent with care is on income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance.
	Throughput
	By 31 March 2007, the Agency will clear 55 per cent. of new applications within 12 weeks of receipt and 80 per cent. in 26 weeks.
	New application backlogs
	By 31 March 2007, the agency will have reduced the volume of uncleared new scheme applications by 25 per cent. of the amount outstanding by the end of March 2006.
	Accuracy
	By 31 March 2007, accuracy on the last decision made for all new or old scheme maintenance calculations carried out and checked in previous 12 months to be correct to the nearest penny in at least 87 per cent. of cases.
	Debt
	The Agency will collect arrears equivalent to 40 per cent. of the amount accruing due to non payment of regular maintenance between 1 April 2006 and 31 March 2007.

Child Support

Hywel Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what definition of 'non-resident parent' is used in respect of Child Support Agency decisions when the care is shared equally.

James Plaskitt: If each parent cares for a qualifying child for the same number of nights, the parent who does not receive child benefit for that child is treated as the non-resident parent. If neither parent receives child benefit, the parent who, in the opinion of a decision-maker, is not the principal provider of care of the child is treated as the non-resident parent.

Correspondence

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will reply to the letter from the hon. Member for Northavon, dated 8 December, regarding his constituent Mr. Quintana.

James Plaskitt: I replied to the hon. Member on 28 March 2006.

Departmental Administrative Processes

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he has taken to modernise and streamline back office functions of (a) finance and (b) human resources within (i) his Department and (ii) the agencies for which he has responsibility in the last three years.

Anne McGuire: The Department is always looking to maximise efficiency from its back office functions of Finance and Human Resources.
	Finance has been modernising and streamlining (through the Finance Transformation Programme) in both the Departmental and Agency functions in order to:
	improve the ability of the Department to manage value for money;
	provide cost-effective, customer-focused business and administration processes and services;
	ensure that clear and unambiguous accountabilities are in place;
	maximise the benefits from existing technology programmes;
	increase the resource awareness and resource management capability of the Department's staff. This programme of activity should be completed in 200607.
	Key successes have included:
	implementing the first two phases (of four) of an integrated finance, procurement, human resource and payroll system based on Oracle e-business software;
	modernising the way that pensions and benefits are paid to customers. Ninety seven percent of customers now have payments made directly into an account;
	implementing a new debt management system into a newly centralised debt management service;
	providing the largest contribution to the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) targets to deliver value for money savings through improved procurement;
	driving forward reductions in estate occupancy throughout the Department.
	The Human Resources Modernisation Programme has been looking to harness industry best practice and investment in technology to improve the way Human Resource services are delivered across the Department and to help make significant efficiencies. This applies to both Departmental and Agency functions.
	Key successes have included:
	designing and implementing a new, integrated HR Service Delivery Model for the operation of all HR systems and services;
	introducing the first three phases of self-service, on-line HR support for managers and staffthe staff information systemas a stepping stone to the rollout of the integrated finance, procurement, human resource and payroll system;
	centralising HR Service Centres (ultimately in 200607 to two sites) which provide telephone based advice and guidance, with the aim of delivering a more effective and efficient service to line managers and staff, with key performance indicators for timeliness, quality and customer satisfaction in place;
	freeing up Business HR Teams to concentrate on working more strategically with operational managers on the HR issues affecting business performance; and
	improving HR policies, making them more business and customer focused, accessible and usable.
	In 200607 the Department will also be combining many Finance and HR activities into a new Shared Services organisation. This will allow more effective and efficient services to be provided both within the Department and potentially on a wider cross-departmental basis.

Departmental Equipment

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) laptops and (b) mobile phones his Department bought in each year since 1997; and what the cost of each category of equipment was in each year.

Anne McGuire: DWP records on laptop purchases are available from October 2001 onwards:
	
		
			  Laptops (Number) Value (excluding VAT) () 
		
		
			 2001(178) 546 608,079.43 
			 2002 3,827 5,084,363.10 
			 2003 3,773 4,219,381.04 
			 2004 1,206 1,246,590.93 
			 2005 364 383,869.57 
			 Grand Total 9,716 11,542,284.07 
		
	
	(178) First purchase October 2001.
	Mobile Phones
	The information requested on mobile telephones is not available prior to 2005. Mobile phones are treated by DWP as an expensed item and therefore are not recorded as central assets. Each local manager is responsible for such items within their local cost centre.
	Figures for calendar year 2005 are available; 2,385 mobiles were purchased in 2005 at a cost of 100,971 (excluding VAT).

Departmental Projects

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what (a) building and (b) refurbishment projects are planned by his Department in (i) 200506 and (ii) 200607; and what the expected costs are of each project.

Anne McGuire: The Department for Work and Pensions is undergoing an extensive, long-term programme to refurbish Jobcentre Plus sites and the Pension Service call centres. Details of these projects and other planned building and refurbishment projects are given in the tables lodged in the Library.

Departmental Telephone Numbers

Anne Milton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the (a) 0800 and (b) 0845 telephone numbers for the public administered by (i) his Department and (ii) agencies which report to him.

Anne McGuire: The hon. Member has requested information broken down by the Department and agencies; the information is not available in this format. Under the arrangements the Department and its agencies has with its supplier there are around 4,700, 0800 or 0845 numbers for the public and its internal use. The details of numbers have been placed in the Library.

Employment Advisers

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many specialist (a) disability employment advisers and (b) non-disability employment advisers (i) have been employed by Jobcentre Plus in each of the last three years and (ii) are expected to be employed in each of the next three years.

Margaret Hodge: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking how many specialists (a) disability employment advisers and (b) non-disability employment advisers (i) have been employed by Jobcentre Plus in each of the last three years and (ii) are expected to be employed in each of the next three years. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	The numbers of full time equivalent staff employed over the last three years are shown in the table below:
	
		
			  200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 Disability Employment Advisers 657.64 730.08 830.28 
			 Non Disability Employment Advisers 9,088.51 9,407.06 9,681.98 
			 Total 9,746.15 10,137.14 10,512.26 
		
	
	Against a background of the national roll-out of Pathways to Work, ongoing reorganisation of Jobcentre Plus delivery, and the Department efficiency challenge, it is not possible to quantify the future numbers at this stage with certainty. However, we remain committed to maintaining the valuable service provided by our specialist advisers.
	I hope this is helpful.

Financial Assistance Scheme

Gisela Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the (a) average pension entitlement of all those eligible for the financial assistance scheme and (b) the average entitlement to financial assistance scheme top-up for all those eligible.

Stephen Timms: The information is as follows.
	(a) We estimate that the average accrued pension of all non-pensioner members in eligible schemes within three years of retirement who will receive assistance because they have less than 80 per cent. funding levels in their schemes, and who are not affected by the de minimis rule or the benefit cap, is 5,800 per year.
	(b) We estimate that the average payment from the financial assistance scheme for all those eligible is around 1,800 per year. Payments will range from 500 per year to 12,000 per year with the majority of payments towards the lower end of this scale.

Financial Assistance Scheme

Gisela Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people he estimates are eligible for assistance under the financial assistance scheme qualifying criteria.

Stephen Timms: We estimate that up to 15,000 people may be eligible for assistance under the qualifying criteria for the financial assistance scheme.

Financial Assistance Scheme

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people (a) living in Wales and (b) former Allied Steel and Wire workers living in Wales have received money from the Financial Assistance Scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: The information is as follows.
	(a) Fifteen people living in Wales have so far received money from the Financial Assistance Scheme, (b) of these, 14 are former Allied Steel and Wire workers.

Gershon Review

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress his Department has made (a) in monitoring progress against the Gershon efficiency targets and (b) in the development of metrics for measuring the level of service delivery; what the programme is for publishing the results of these analyses; whether these data will be subject to external audit; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The Department's Efficiency Technical Note sets out how the Department will measure achievement of the efficiency targets from the Spending Review 2004 and departmental performance, including assurance arrangements for those measures. The Efficiency Technical Note is published on the Department's website.

Home Computing Initiative

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he had to make the Home Computing Initiative available to staff in his Department prior to its abolition.

Anne McGuire: DWP had set up a small project team and intended to launch an HCI scheme for staff in time for delivery at the end of 2006.

Hourly Pay Rates

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the hourly rate of pay which would bring a full-time worker up to the 60th median income relative deprivation line without recourse to state benefits; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The hourly rate of pay required to bring a full-time worker up to the 60 per cent. of median income line would depend on the number of hours actually worked.
	In addition, because we equivalise (or adjust) income to take into account variations in both the size and composition of the household, the actual rate of pay required to lift someone above the poverty line would depend on the number of adults and children in the family.

Jobcentre Plus

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what regular outreach services Job Centre Plus operates in the (a) Banbury and (b) Oxford travel-to-work area.

Margaret Hodge: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie
	The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions has asked me to reply to your question asking what regular outreach services Jobcentre Plus operates in the (a) Banbury and (b) Oxford travel-to-work area. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	Jobcentre Plus provides a number of outreach services within the Banbury and Oxford travel to work area.
	An advice service is provided to local prisons by an Adviser who sees all inmates before they are released. This is referred to as Freshstart, which is a partnership between Jobcentre Plus and the Prison Service. The Adviser provides advice on jobsearch and job broking as well as handling benefit related enquiries. Advisers visit Bullingdon prison 3 days a week, Reading, Grendon and Springhill prisons twice a fortnight and Woodhill prison once a week.
	A Jobcentre Plus Disability Employment Adviser (DEA) for Oxford, Abingdon and Didcot attends the Enablement Centre at Nuffield Hospital to interview people with health problems who may need help finding work or staying in work. Referrals are made by the National Health Service, Oxford Mental Health Care and the Elmore Team, an independent community service team who deal with vulnerable people. The DEA attends the Enablement Centre on the first Wednesday of every month.
	Jobcentre Plus also provides a Redundancy Support Service to small, medium and large employers who are faced with making redundancies. Advice and guidance is provided to these employers offering support to their employees in jobsearch, benefit advice, interview techniques, writing a CV, upskilling and retraining as well as self employment options. Meetings and support services occur as a result of a significant redundancy and are therefore primarily on an ad hoc basis. This service is usually delivered at an employer's premises.
	Banbury Jobcentre Plus is represented on the steering group of the Sunshine Centre, which is due to open in July 2006 in Bretch Hill, Banbury. The Centre will help lone parents, and we are considering how best we can help those who will use the Centre.
	I hope this is helpful.

Jobseeker's Allowance

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what average period a person aged (a) 16 to 20, (b) 21 to 25, (c) 26 to 35, (d) 35 to 50 and (e) 50 plus claimed jobseeker's allowance before gaining employment in the last period for which figures are available.

James Plaskitt: The information is not available in the format requested.
	The Department for Work and Pensions Research Report No. 244Destination of benefit leavers 2004showed that nationally, 62 per cent. of claimants leaving income support, incapacity benefit or jobseeker's allowance entered employment of 16 hours or more a week. However, this information is not available broken down by age group or duration. Copies of the report are available in the Library.
	The available information on jobseeker's allowance durations broken down by age group is in the table.
	
		Jobseeker's allowance claimants by age and duration: Great Britain, August 2005
		
			  All ages Under 20 20 to 24 25 to 34 35 to 49 50 and over 
		
		
			 All durations 950,540 117,695 180,260 225,735 273,090 153,760 
			 Up to 3 months 427,145 70,045 96,965 98,790 107,100 54,240 
			 3 months up to 6 months 224,185 31,260 46,465 52,975 61,570 31,910 
			 6 months up to 1 year 167,775 14,570 29,055 43,300 54,410 26,440 
			 1 year and up to 2 years 91,770 1,780 6,700 25,230 37,895 20,165 
			 2 years and up to 5 years 31,705 40 1,060 5,070 10,235 15,300 
			 5 years and over 7,965 (179) 10 370 1,885 5,700 
		
	
	(179) Denotes nil/negligible.
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 5.
	2. Figures are not seasonally adjusted.
	Source:
	Count of unemployment-related benefits, Jobcentre Plus computer systems (computer held cases only).

Jobseeker's Allowance

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland constituency are claiming jobseeker's allowance; and what the percentage difference is from the same period in each year since 2001.

James Plaskitt: The information is in the table.
	
		Jobseeker's allowance (JSA) claimants in the Middlesbrough, South and Cleveland, East parliamentary constituency
		
			 February JSA claimants Percentage change against previous year 
		
		
			 2001 2,731  
			 2002 2,537 -7.1 
			 2003 2,297 -9.5 
			 2004 2,063 -10.2 
			 2005 1,727 -16.3 
			 2006 1,897 +9.8 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. JSA caseload figures are unrounded, percentage differences are rounded to one decimal place.
	2. JSA figures are not seasonally adjusted.
	Source:
	Count of unemployment-related benefits, Jobcentre Plus computer systems (including clerically held cases).

Jobseeker's Allowance

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the cost of introducing the new fortnightly job review for jobseeker's allowance applicants from June; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Lesley Strathie
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question asking what estimate he has made of the cost of introducing the new Fortnightly Job Review for Jobseeker's Allowance applicants from June. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of Jobcentre Plus.
	We are not introducing new Fortnightly Jobsearch Reviews from June, but re-focusing them to make sure people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance are fulfilling their responsibilities by being available for and actively seeking work. The introduction of these re-focused reviews will be based on strengthened guidance to managers and staff and other support material. The associated costs will therefore be negligible.
	I hope you find this reply helpful.

Jobseeker's Allowance

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have moved off jobseeker's allowance and onto incapacity benefit in each of the last three years.

Anne McGuire: The information is in the following table.
	
		Jobseeker's allowance (JSA) claimants moving to incapacity benefit (IB) and severe disablement allowance (SDA) during periods shown
		
			 Period Total JSA terminations IB/SDA is claimed within 90 days of JSA claim terminating 
		
		
			 Total(180) 7,375,900 579,200 
			 1 June 2002 to 31 May 2003 2,580,700 213,800 
			 1 June 2003 to 31 May 2004 2,513,900 199,200 
			 1 June 2004 to 31 May 2005 2,281,300 176,600 
		
	
	(180) June 2002 to May 2005.
	Notes:
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest 100. Figures may not sum due to rounding.
	2. Numbers are based on 5 per cent. samples, and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation.
	3. Figures are given for JSA terminations where the claimant goes onto claim IB/SDA within 90 days of the JSA claim ending. It is possible that claimants may not move directly from JSA to IB, e.g. they may cease claiming JSA, find work and then claim IB within the given 90 day period.
	4. Number of terminations (including those flowing onto IB) in the last year will increase following receipt of late notifications.
	Source:
	Information Directorate, 5 per cent. samples (terminations dataset)

Jobseeker's Allowance

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people were claiming jobseeker's allowance in (a) 2003, (b) 2004 and (c) 2005; and if he will make a statement.

James Plaskitt: The available information is in the following table.
	
		Jobseeker's allowance claimants in Great Britain
		
			 As at February each year: Number 
		
		
			 2003 905,200 
			 2004 851,400 
			 2005 788,600 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Caseload figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2. JSA figures are seasonally adjusted.
	Source:
	Count of unemployment-related benefits, Jobcentre Plus computer systems

Lone Parents

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of lone parents helped into employment in (a) Hartlepool, (b) the North East and (c) Great Britain in each year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: The lone parent employment rate has risen by 11.3 percentage points since 1997 and new deal for lone parents (NDLP) has contributed to this success by helping more than 420,000 lone parents into work.
	Information on the number of lone parents helped into work in each year since 1997 through NDLP in Great Britain, the North East and Hartlepool is in the table.
	
		People into work through new deal for lone parents
		
			 Time period Great Britain North East Hartlepool 
		
		
			 October-December 1998 2,510 110 0 
			 1999 36,310 2,310 70 
			 2000 52,100 3,080 70 
			 2001 56,660 3,490 100 
			 2002 71,870 4,170 160 
			 2003 73,700 4,570 210 
			 2004 84,320 5,440 250 
			 January-August 2005 45,790 3,020 100 
			 Total 423,290 26,220 970 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and data is to August 2005.
	Source:
	Department for Work and Pensions Information Directorate

Media Training

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much has been spent by his Department on media training in each year since 199798.

Anne McGuire: The Department for Work and Pensions was formed on 8 June 2001 from parts of the former Department of Social Security, the former Department for Education and Employment and the Employment Service. Information prior to 2001 is not held centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	
		
			  Amount () 
		
		
			 200102 0 
			 200203 0 
			 200304 0 
			 200405 3299.00 
			 200506 749.24

New Deal

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what funding will be made available in each of the next three years for (a) New Deal for 25 plus, (b) Work Based Learning for Adults, (c) Project Work, (d) Jobsearch Provision, (e) Employment Zones and (f) other employment schemes in (i) West Sussex and (ii) East Worthing and Shoreham;
	(2)  how much his Department has spent on each programme to help the unemployed move back into work in each year since 1997 in (a) West Sussex, (b) East Worthing and Shoreham and (c) the UK.

Margaret Hodge: Information on programme spend and projected spend is not available broken down at parliamentary constituency or county council level.
	Information is not available for the whole of the UK as this Department does not deliver employment programmes in Northern Ireland.
	Information on programme spend in Great Britain, in each year since 1997 is in the table.
	
		Programme spend since 1997
		
			  million 
			 Programme 199798 199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 New deal for young people 12 162 282 293 219 221 265 264 
			 New deal 25 plus  17 71 42 140 166 189 169 
			 New deal for disabled people  0 15 7 4 16 28 65 
			 New deal for lone parents  1 12 14 9 18 20 24 
			 New deal 50 plus(181)   1 45 82 82 42 3 
			 New deal for partners   0 1 2 0 0 1 
			 WORKSTEP(182) 61 60 64 63 60 59 74 69 
			 Access to Work 15 21 27 32 42 51 56 60 
			 Work Preparation(183) 9 10 12 11 7 8 10 13 
			 Other programmes for disabled people(184) 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 
			 Work Based Learning for Adults(185) 382 264 264 275 168 123 142 193 
			 Employment Zones  1 1 72 96 94 84 75 
			 Action Teams6 23 30 38 23 
			 Jobsearch provision(186) 31 10 32 30 19 16 19 21 
			 Residential Training(187) 14 13 15 13 18 18 17 17 
			 Pathways to Work   1 15 
			 Ambition   8 14 
			 Adviser Discretion Fund   5 9 
			 Travel to interview scheme 1 1 1 1 2 3 3 2 
			 Rapid Response Service  3 2 1 
			 Project work 41 8   
			 Other(188) 17 27 8 4 6 6 6 24 
		
	
	(181) The New Deal 50 plus Employment Credit was subsumed within the 50 plus element of the Working Tax Credit from 200304.
	(182) WORKSTEP was previously Supported Employment.
	(183) Work Preparation was previously Employment Rehabilitation.
	(184) Includes the Job Introduction Scheme, marketing of programmes for disabled people and expenditure on the Disability Consulting Group.
	(185) Previously Training for Work.
	(186) Includes expenditure on Programme Centres (previously Jobclubs); Jobplan and Resource Centres.
	(187) In England only. Figures for 200001 and earlier years exclude training allowances.
	(188) Includes ethnic minority initiatives; Restart fares; Work Trials; Workwise; Jobmatch; Community Action; research, and publicity and marketing.
	Notes:
	1. Data comprise programme expenditure, allowance payments paid to New Deal participants and the New Deal 50 plus Employment Credit.
	2. All figures are rounded to the nearest  million; expenditure of less than 500,000 is shown as a zero.
	Sources:
	Jobcentre Plus Financial Strategy Division
	Jobcentre Plus Financial Control Division

New Deal

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have participated in (a) New Deal for 25 plus, (b) Work Based Learning for Adults, (c) Project Work, (d) Jobsearch Provision, (e) Employment Zones and (f) other employment schemes in (i) West Sussex and (ii) East Worthing and Shoreham in each year since 1997.

Margaret Hodge: People living in West Sussex and East Worthing and Shoreham can access a wide range of programmes to help them into employment, including the New Deal, which has helped nearly 6,500 people into work in West Sussex, 900 of whom are in East Worthing and Shoreham.
	The Ambition Energy programme, which has supported people into employment as gas network operatives and domestic gas installers, has also been available to people in West Sussex. 14 people attended a course in Albourne in July 2002; 16 people attended a course in Crawley in November 2003; and a further 16 attended another Crawley course in April 2004.
	Specialist programmes like progress2work, which helps participants tackle the employment barriers they face due to drug misuse, are available to people in West Sussex. Data are not available on the number of participants broken down at county council or parliamentary constituency level. People in West Sussex with health conditions and disabilities who need support in the workplace, or help to enter employment, can access the full range of specialist programmes like Access to Work, the Job Introduction Scheme and WORKSTEP. Data on participants are not available broken down at the level requested.
	From August 2001 until the end of July 2005, people living in the Adur local authority area who signed on in Brighton were able to access the Employment Zone in Brighton and Hove. During that period, less than 10 people in each year from the Adur local authority area joined the Employment Zone.
	Jobsearch Provision is normally used to describe the services offered by Programme Centres. Programme Centres provide individually tailored job search help, including CV preparation, interview skills, telephone techniques and help with application forms. People in West Sussex currently access Programme Centre support in Brighton and Hastings and a contracting process is underway to re-deliver this service in West Sussex. Information on starts to Programme Centres is not available at the level requested.
	Project Work was a pilot which ran in 31 areas from February 1997 and was developed by the previous administration. It has not operated since 199899 and starts data is not available.
	The available information on the number of people who have participated in employment programmes in West Sussex and East Worthing and Shoreham in each year since 1997 is in the following tables.
	
		Participants on the new deal in West Sussex
		
			  Individual starts 
			 Time period New deal for young people New deal 25 plus New deal for lone parents New deal 50 plus New deal for partners 
		
		
			 January to December  
			 1998 400 170 90   
			 1999 480 260 530   
			 2000 380 280 540   
			 2001 320 320 670   
			 2002 330 240 890   
			 2003 370 330 720   
			 2004 440 360 950 200 200 
			   
			 January to August(189) January to November(189)  
			 2005 550 340 850 80 80 
			 Total 3,290 2,300 5,250 280 280 
		
	
	
		Participants on New Deal in East Worthing and Shoreham
		
			  Individual starts 
			 Time period New deal for young people New deal 25 plus New deal for lone parents New deal 50 plus New deal for partners 
		
		
			 January to December  
			 1998 70 30 10   
			 1999 80 40 70   
			 2000 60 40 80   
			 2001 40 40 100   
			 2002 40 20 150   
			 2003 70 40 90   
			 2004 60 30 110 40 0 
			   
			 January to August(189) January to November(189)  
			 2005 80 30 140 10 0 
			 Total 500 270 740 50 0 
		
	
	(189) Latest data relate to the end of August 2005 for New Deal for Young People, New Deal 25 plus, and New Deal for Lone Parents, and to the end of November 2005 for New Deal 50 plus and New Deal for Partners.
	Notes:
	1. New Deal for Disabled People data are not available at parliamentary constituency or county council level.
	2. The New Deal programmes started at the following times: New Deal for Young People: January 1998; New Deal 25 plus: July 1998; New Deal for Lone Parents: October 1998; New Deal 50 plus: April 2000; New Deal for Partners: May 1999.
	3. The New Deal 50 plus starts data provided are from January 2004 and New Deal 50 plus jobs information is from April 2003. A time series breakdown is not available for New Deal 50 plus jobs prior to April 2003 broken down by county council or parliamentary constituency.
	4. New Deal for Partners data for starts and jobs are from April 2004 as the data are not available at parliamentary constituency or county council level prior to then.
	5. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10 and totals may not sum due to rounding.
	Sources:
	Department for Work and Pensions Information Directorate
	DWP Information Directorate
	
		Participants on work based learning for adults in West Sussex
		
			 Time period Starts 
		
		
			 2001(190) 230 
			 2002 470 
			 2003 630 
			 2004 760 
			 2005(191) 660 
		
	
	
		Participants on work based learning for adults in East Worthing and Shoreham
		
			 Time period Starts 
		
		
			 2001(190) 30 
			 2002 50 
			 2003 90 
			 2004 110 
			 2005(191) 90 
		
	
	(190) From April.
	(191) To November.
	Notes:
	1. Data are not available at county council and parliamentary constituency level before April 2001.
	2. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	Source:
	Department for Work and Pensions, Work Based Learning for Adults Evaluation Database

Obsolete Publications

Michael Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the disposal of the stock of obsolete publications identified on page 90 on his Resource Accounts 200405, indicating in each case (a) the name of publication, (b) the number of copies disposed of, (c) the nature of disposal and (d) the reason for overestimation of print run required.

Anne McGuire: The obsolete publications referred to in the Resource Account 200405 were those made by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). During that year some 1,032 stock lines (271,714 copies) were subject to disposal and adjustment.
	Of the total there were two major disposals; 165,771 copies across 783 stock lines (61 per cent. of total) were due to the disposal of slow moving stock. This followed a recommendation from the National Audit Office that HSE should reduce its stock levels. A significant number of these publications were quite longstanding, and demand was initially based on placing orders for larger volumes in order to achieve cheaper print costs. Following the larger than usual level of disposals in 200405, HSE has put in place a policy of setting shorter print runs to better reflect actual demand.
	A further 82,619 copies across 18 stock lines (30 per cent. of total) were disposed of due to a revision of the content, requiring the current stocks to be replaced by revised versions. This was an exceptionally high and unusual level of disposal. HSE have since changed the way in which the content of their publications is reviewed to help avoid a re-occurrence.
	The remainder of the disposals in 200405 were due to publications being withdrawn because a brand new publication superseded current guidance, or a publication became obsolete and the guidance or information was no longer required. There were also a small number of write offs for stock damaged in transit or storage, and adjustments made following the annual stock count.

Older Workers

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people aged between 50 years and State Pension age were working (a) without a level 2 qualification, (b) with a work-limiting health condition and (c) without a level 2 qualification and with a work-limiting health condition in (i) 1997 and (ii) 2005.

Margaret Hodge: We have already made good progress in encouraging older people to take an active role in the labour market. The employment rates for men and women aged 50 to State Pension Age are now higher than at any time since the early-mid 1980s, and the gap between this and the overall rate has decreased. We are determined to give people greater choice and opportunity to stay in work as long as they wish.
	The information requested is in the following table.
	
		People in work aged 50 to State Pension age, Great Britain
		
			  Without a level 2 qualification) With a longstanding work limiting health condition Without a level 2 qualification and with a work limiting health condition 
			 Summer Number Percentage of all in work Number Percentage of all in work Number Percentage of all in work 
		
		
			 1997 2,410,000 47 520,000 10 270,000 5 
			 2005 2,340,000 37 760,000 12 330,000 5 
		
	
	Notes:
	Numbers rounded to the nearest 10,000, percentages to nearest percentage point. Individuals whose highest qualification is below O-level/GCSE A-C and those with fewer than five O-level /GCSE A-C passes are considered to lack level 2 qualifications.
	Source:
	Labour Force Survey (LFS),

Parliamentary Questions

Justine Greening: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he will respond to question (a) 32429, (b) 32430 and (c) 32432 on departmental staff, tabled by the hon. Member for Putney on 23 November 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: holding answer 16 January 2006
	Replies were given to the hon. Member as follows:
	32429 on 30 March 2006, Official Report, column 1200W.
	32430 on 15 February 2006, Official Report, column 2177W.
	32432 on 16 January 2006, Official Report, column 1044W.

Parliamentary Questions

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many ordinary written parliamentary questions tabled for answer by him in the past 12 months have been answered (a) within 14 days, (b) between 14 and 28 days, (c) between 28 days and two months and (d) in excess of two months after the date of tabling; and if he will make a statement.

Anne McGuire: For the year 7 February 2005 to 6 February 2006 inclusive, the number of ordinary written parliamentary questions tabled for answer by him in the past 12 months which were answered (a) within 14 days (b) after between 14 and 28 days (c) between 28 days and two months and (d) in excess of two months after the date of tabling were:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 (a) Within 14 days 1,469 
			 (b) After between 14 and 28 days 617 
			 (c) Between 28 days and two months 230 
			 (d) In excess of two months after the date of tabling 287

Pathways to Work

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of Pathways to Work participants have found work within (a) one month, (b) two months, (c) six months, (d) 12 months and (e) more than 12 months; and how many in each category had been claiming incapacity benefit for (i) up to six months, (ii) six to 12 months, (iii) 12 months to five years and (iv) more than five years.

Margaret Hodge: The information requested is in the following tables:
	
		(a) New/Repeat mandatory customers
		
			 Percentage 
			  Duration between Pathways to Work start date and benefit end date 
			  less than one month between one and two months between two and six months between six and 12 months more than 12 months 
		
		
			 Total number of Pathways to Work starts 1 5 22 9 2 
		
	
	
		(b) Existing customers who have volunteered for Pathways to Work
		
			 Percentage 
			  Duration between Pathways to Work start date and benefit end date 
			 Duration on benefit at time of benefit end less than one month between one and two months between two and six months between six and 12 months more than 12 months 
		
		
			 Up to six months 1 1 1 0 0 
			 Six to 12 months 4 1 3 1 0 
			 12 months to five years 10 4 9 6 3 
			 More than five years 4 1 2 2 1 
			 Total 20 7 15 8 3 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Statistics quoted in this response are taken from the Pathways to Work Evaluation database.
	2. Due to time lags in the benefits data a cohort of Pathways starts to the end of May 2005 have been considered.
	3. For new/repeat customers the Pathways start date and the benefit start date are effectively the same.
	4. Not all Pathways spell starts have a benefit claim start date matched to them. This is because the benefits data are taken from the National Benefits Database which does not include a proportion of short term Incapacity Benefit claims.
	5. This response is based on the number of Pathways spells rather than the number of individuals who have started Pathways. This is because an individual may have multiple spells on Pathways but their interaction within Pathways may be different in different spells.
	6. Database development work is required to merge the clerical data used as a basis for reporting on mandated stock customers to our benefits data. This work is currently in progress but resource is not available to complete this within the timescale for this question.

Pathways to Work

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average cost per participant has been in the job brokering option of Pathways to work.

Margaret Hodge: Job brokering services for Pathways to work participants are provided through the new deal for disabled people (NDDP). We estimate that the average cost per participant in the NDDP element of the Pathways to work pilots is 1,600.

Pathways to Work

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the average cost per participant of the Condition Management Programme option of the Pathways to Work pilots.

Anne McGuire: We estimate that the average cost per participant in the Condition Management Programme element of the Pathways to Work pilots is 1,500.

Pathways to Work

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 7 February 2006 to the hon. Member for Romford (Andrew Rosindell), Official Report, column 1170W, on pathways to work, how the estimate of 400 funding per participant was calculated; and what the main components of the cost were.

Margaret Hodge: The 400 figure is an estimate of the average cost per participant in pathways to work pilots. The figure represents the total cost of the pathways to work programme, excluding the return to work credit element, divided by the total number of programme starts.

Pathways to Work

Jeremy Hunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the numbers returning to work each year (a) in current Pathways to work pilot areas and (b) when the scheme is fully operational.

Margaret Hodge: There were 13,500 recorded job entries in Pathways to work areas in the year to October 2005.
	We have not yet made an assessment of the total number of annual job entries that would result from a nationally rolled out service.

Pension Credit

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Wirral, West constituency are eligible for pension credit.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is not available.
	Latest estimates of the number of pensioners entitled to the main income-related benefits, including Pension Credit, relate to financial year 20032004. They are available on a national basis only, as estimates cannot be reliably disaggregated at a lower geographical level. They can be found in the DWP report entitled Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up in 20032004. Copies of the publication are available in the Library. Estimates for 20042005 are expected to be published in May 2006.
	At the end of November 2005 4,000 pensioner households in Wirral West were in receipt of Pension Credit.
	Notes:
	1. The caseload figure is an early estimate, and is rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2. Caseload figures are taken from the Generalised Matching Service (GMS) scan at 25 November 2005, rated up to give end-month estimates.
	3. Operational processing times mean that a number of claim commencements and terminations are not reflected in this figure. The final figure incorporated within the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS) will take account of such cases.
	4. Pension Credit (PC) replaced Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) on 6 October 2003. Existing MIG recipients were automatically converted onto Pension Credit on that date (assuming they still met the eligibility criteria).
	5. Household recipients are those people who claim PC either on behalf of themselves only or on behalf of a household. This number is equal to the number of households in receipt of PC. The number of individual beneficiaries is the claimants plus their partners.
	6. Couples may include partners who are aged less than 60.
	7. Parliamentary Constituencies are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant postcode directory.

Pension Credit

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Scotland are in receipt of pension credit, broken down by (a) local authority and (b) constituency.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is in the following table.
	
		Pension credit recipients in Scotland as at November 2005
		
			  Households Individual beneficiaries 
		
		
			 By local authority   
			 Local authority   
			 Totals 281,800 338,300 
			 Aberdeen City 8,900 10,400 
			 Aberdeenshire 9,100 11,000 
			 Angus 5,900 7,100 
			 Argyll and Bute 4,800 5,700 
			 Scottish Borders 6,200 7,600 
			 Clackmannanshire 2,400 2,900 
			 West Dumbartonshire 6,800 8,100 
			 Dumfries and Galloway 8,800 10,900 
			 Dundee City 9,600 11,200 
			 East Ayrshire 7,900 9,700 
			 East Dumbartonshire 3,600 4,400 
			 East Lothian 4,600 5,500 
			 East Renfrewshire 3,100 3,800 
			 Edinburgh, City of 17,500 20,300 
			 Falkirk 7,900 9,500 
			 Fife 16,600 20,000 
			 Glasgow City 46,700 54,900 
			 Highland 11,000 13,200 
			 Inverclyde 6,000 7,100 
			 Midlothian 3,600 4,300 
			 Moray 4,200 5,100 
			 North Ayrshire 8,500 10,400 
			 North Lanarkshire 20,900 25,600 
			 Orkney Islands 1,000 1,100 
			 Perth and Kinross 6,500 7,800 
			 Renfrewshire 10,200 12,200 
			 Shetland Isles 1,000 1,200 
			 South Ayrshire 6,400 7,800 
			 South Lanarkshire 18,500 22,700 
			 Stirling 3,600 4,300 
			 West Lothian 7,700 9,400 
			 Eilean Siar 2,500 3,000 
			
			 By constituency   
			 Parliamentary constituency   
			 Totals 281,800 338,300 
			
			 Aberdeen North 4,800 5,600 
			 Aberdeen South 3,200 3,700 
			 Airdrie and Shotts 5,400 6,700 
			 Angus 4,900 6,000 
			 Argyll and Bute 4,800 5,700 
			 Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock 5,800 7,200 
			 Banff and Buchan 4,600 5,600 
			 Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk 5,300 6,500 
			 Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross 3,500 4,300 
			 Central Ayrshire 5,200 6,300 
			 Coatbridge, Chryston and Bellshill 6,100 7,400 
			 Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East 4,300 5,300 
			 Dumfries and Galloway 5,800 7,200 
			 Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale 4,600 5,700 
			 Dundee East 4,500 5,400 
			 Dundee West 6,100 7,100 
			 Dunfermline and West Fife 3,300 3,900 
			 East Dunbartonshire 2,500 3,000 
			 East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow 5,100 6,300 
			 East Lothian 4,600 5,500 
			 East Renfrewshire 3,100 3,800 
			 Edinburgh East 4,500 5,200 
			 Edinburgh North and Leith 3,600 4,100 
			 Edinburgh South 2,700 3,200 
			 Edinburgh South West 3,300 3,800 
			 Edinburgh West 3,300 3,900 
			 Falkirk 5,600 6,700 
			 Glasgow Central 6,500 7,600 
			 Glasgow East 7,900 9,400 
			 Glasgow North 4,200 4,900 
			 Glasgow North East 8,800 10,400 
			 Glasgow North West 6,500 7,600 
			 Glasgow South 5,600 6,600 
			 Glasgow South West 7,100 8,300 
			 Glenrothes 5,000 6,100 
			 Gordon 2,800 3,300 
			 Inverclyde 6,000 7,100 
			 Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey 4,000 4,700 
			 Kilmarnock and Loudoun 6,100 7,500 
			 Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath 5,100 6,200 
			 Lanark and Hamilton East 5,900 7,200 
			 Linlithgow and East Falkirk 5,500 6,700 
			 Livingston 4,500 5,500 
			 Midlothian 3,600 4,300 
			 Moray 4,200 5,100 
			 Motherwell and Wishaw 6,200 7,400 
			 Na h-Eileanan an lar 2,500 3,000 
			 North Ayrshire and Arran 5,700 7,000 
			 North East Fife 3,200 3,900 
			 Ochil and South Perthshire 4,400 5,300 
			 Orkney and Shetland 2,000 2,300 
			 Paisley and Renfrewshire North 4,400 5,300 
			 Paisley and Renfrewshire South 5,700 6,800 
			 Perth and North Perthshire 4,600 5,400 
			 Ross, Skye and Lochaber 3,400 4,100 
			 Rutherglen and Hamilton West 6,700 8,200 
			 Stirling 3,600 4,300 
			 West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine 2,500 3,000 
			 West Dunbartonshire 6,800 8,100 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. These figures are early estimates. Operational processing times mean that a number of claim commencements and terminations are not reflected in the figures. The final figures incorporated within the Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study (WPLS) will take account of such cases.
	2. Caseloads are rounded to the nearest hundred. Totals may not sum due to rounding.
	3. Caseload figures are taken from the GMS scan at 25 November 2005, rated up to give end-month estimates.
	4. Pension credit (PC) replaced minimum income guarantee (MIG) on 6 October 2003. Existing MIG recipients were automatically converted onto pension credit on that date (assuming constituencies are assigned by matching postcodes against the relevant postcode directory.)
	5. This table uses the new Scottish parliamentary constituencies created in May 2005.
	6. Household recipients are those people who claim PC either on behalf of themselves only or on behalf of a household. This number is equal to the number of households in receipt of PC. The number of individual beneficiaries is the claimants plus their partners.
	7. Couples may include partners who are aged less than 60.
	Source:
	Information Directorate: 100 per cent. data from the Generalised Matching Service (GMS).
	Pension credit scan taken as at 25 November 2005.

Pension Credit

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the total cost of administering pension credit since it was established, including IT and set up costs.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is not available.
	The cost of administering pension credit claims during the year to March 2005 has been estimated as 237 million. This figure is an approximate assessment only.
	The Pension Service continues to develop its unit cost information. A modern resource management system which will support improved costing analysis is being rolled out across the Department in 2006.

Pension Credit

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what is the anticipated future (a) pension credit expenditure in real terms assuming constant take-up and (b) projected proportion of the pensioner population who will be eligible for pension credit in (i) 2010, (ii) 2020, (iii) 2030, (iv) 2040 and (v) 2050.

Stephen Timms: Projections of pension credit expenditure in real terms are published as part of the long-term DWP benefit expenditure tables at www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/LT3.xls. For pension credit the projections assume constant overall take-up from March 2008.
	The numbers eligible for pension credit in the future are subject to a range of uncertainties and a number of factors including the ways that Governments choose to uprate benefits. The table shows the projected proportion of pensioner households eligible for pension credit in each year if basic state pension was to be uprated with prices and pension credit guarantee with earnings every year to 2050.
	
		Projected proportion of pensioner households eligible for pension credit for selected years
		
			  Range (percentage) 
		
		
			 2010 4652 
			 2020 5561 
			 2030 5964 
			 2040 6569 
			 2050 7578 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Estimates are based on Family Resources Survey data for 200304, with incomes and benefits projected forward into the future in order to estimate the eligibility for each pensioner household on the survey.
	2. As with National Statistics estimates of eligibility to pension credit in 200304, estimates are given as ranges in order to account for possible biases in Family Resource Survey data. They also take account of the effects of sampling variation. It is assumed that the size of this range remains constant in future years relative to the decreasing proportion of non-eligible pensioner households.
	3. Estimates of eligibility cover all those aged above women's state pension age in the private household population of Great Britain.
	4. The projections assume the continuation of the current uprating of the standard minimum guarantee by earnings, although the Government are not committed to this beyond 2008.
	5. Estimates account for equalisation of state pension age between 2010 and 2020. It is assumed that the minimum age at which people can claim pension credit rises in line with women's state pension age.
	6. Estimates are calibrated to the 200304 National Statistics estimates of non-eligibility to pension credit, which adjust 200304 Family Resources Survey data to take account of possible biases in reporting.

Pensioners (Cost of Living)

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions by how much the cost of living changed for pensioners in each year since 1997.

Stephen Timms: The following table shows the annual increase in the retail prices index (RPI) in each calendar year.
	
		
			  RPI (percentage) 
		
		
			 1997 3.1 
			 1998 3.4 
			 1999 1.5 
			 2000 3.0 
			 2001 1.8 
			 2002 1.7 
			 2003 2.9 
			 2004 3.0 
			 2005 2.8 
		
	
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics
	The Office for National Statistics also produces separate price indices for one and two pensioner households, which are published in their publication 'Focus on Consumer Price Indices'. These are based on the expenditure patterns of households where the head of the household is over state pension age (at least 65 for men and 60 for women), economically inactive, and where at least three quarters of the household's income is from state benefits. Housing costs (including council tax) are excluded from these indices as most of these pensioners will be cushioned against some rises by housing benefit and council tax benefits.
	Pensioner price indices have risen marginally more slowly than RPI excluding housing (the best comparator) between 1996 and 2005.

Pensions

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the comments of David Norgrove, Chair of the Pensions Protection Fund and the Pensions Regulator to the Work and Pensions Committee on 22 March 2006 that pensions is a data free zone; what action he proposes to take to improve the data held which forms the basis for decisions made on pensions; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Timms: Mr. Norgrove, Chair of the Pensions Regulator, was highlighting the considerable gaps in information that exist in relation to pension schemes in the UK. He also highlighted the steps that the Pensions Regulator has been taking to fill those gaps.
	Prior to the coming into force of the Pensions Act 2004, pension scheme trustees were obliged to provide the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (Opra) with basic information in the form of scheme name and address, scheme size in terms of number of members, benefit type (whether defined benefit, defined contribution, hybrid or not known), status (open, closed, frozen, winding-up, wound-up).
	This made it possible for Opra to collect the pension schemes levy and provide a pension tracing service for the public. However, it provided no information on the funding level, the nature of the employer's business, names and contact details for scheme advisers. In terms of the current challenges in relation to scheme funding this data was insufficient.
	The situation is already being addressed. The Pensions Act 2004 requires UK occupational pension schemes to complete a scheme return and supply it to the Pensions Regulator. Considerable improvements in the quality of data available on pensions are expected by the end of 2006 when the majority of scheme returns will have been received by the Regulator. The new scheme return will include:
	general scheme information (name, benefit type, registration and approval details, status and membership information)
	information about the trustees, trustee advisers and service providers (insurance company, auditor, actuary, fund manager, custodian, investment adviser, administrator)
	scheme financial information (Minimum Funding Requirement valuation, scheme funding valuation or technical provisions, Pension Protection Fund section 179 of the Pensions Act 2004 valuation (valuation to determine scheme underfunding), information from estimated coverage on a buyout basis, FRS17 liabilities)
	scheme investment policy
	basic employer information
	While the steps the Regulator is taking to gather information through the scheme return will make a big difference, it has also analysed existing data to inform current policy issues. For example, the Pensions Regulator engaged PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to provide an analysis of the potential impacts on employer solvency and investment of the new scheme funding regime, which included an analysis by PwC of the potential impact on 550 employers. The PwC research has been laid in the libraries of both Houses, and is also available through the Pensions Regulator website, www.thepensionsregulator.gov.uk.

Pensions

Gisela Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  how many people the Government estimate are included in the Parliamentary Ombudsman's recommendations on occupational pensions; and what the average pension entitlement is of those in each age group, broken down by those aged (a) over 65, (b) 55 to 65, (c) 45 to 55, (d) 35 to 45 and (e) under 35 years on 14 May 2004;
	(2)  what proportion of members of pension schemes covered by recommendations of the Parliamentary Ombudsman report are aged (a) over 60 and (b) 50 to 59 years.

Stephen Timms: We estimate that around 125,000 people are included in the Ombudsman's recommendations. The sample on which this estimate is based is too small to produce a reliable breakdown of average pension entitlement for each of the age bands requested. However, we estimate that around 20 per cent. of the people concerned are aged 60 and over, and around 35 per cent. are aged 50 to 59.

Post Office Card Account

John Cummings: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many recipients of retirement pension in Easington constituency use Post Office card accounts.

James Plaskitt: Information showing the number of DWP benefit and state pension payment accounts paid by direct payment into a Post Office card account for each parliamentary constituency has been placed in the Library.

Poverty

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people were living in relative poverty in the UK at the latest date for which information is available; how many of these were (a) pensioners, (b) people of working age not in employment, (c) people of working age in part-time employment and (d) people of working age in full-time employment; and if he will make a statement.

Margaret Hodge: Specific information regarding relative low income for pensioners and for those of working age is available in the latest publication of the 'Households Below Average Income 199495 to 200405'. The threshold of below 60 per cent. of relative or contemporary median income is the most commonly used in reporting trends in low income.
	Figures for the United Kingdom for 200405 showing the numbers of pensioners, people of working age in full-time employment, people of working age in part-time employment, people of working age not in employment, children, and all individuals living in households with incomes below 60 per cent. of the contemporary median, are in the following table.
	
		Numbers (in millions) of pensioners, working age people by employment status, children, and all individuals living in contemporary low-income households in 200405, United Kingdom
		
			  Before housing costs After housing costs 
		
		
			 Pensioners(192) 2.1 1.8 
			 Working-age(193) 4.8 6.3 
			 of which:   
			 Full-time employed(194) 1.2 1.7 
			 Part-time employed(195) 0.7 0.9 
			 Not in employment 2.9 3.7 
			 Children(196) 2.5 3.5 
			 All individuals 9.4 11.7 
		
	
	(192) Pensioners are all females aged 60 years or over, and all males aged 65 years or over.
	(193) A person of working-age isfor womenages 16 to 59, and for menages 16 to 64.
	(194) Full-time work is when an individual works 31 hours or more a week.
	(195) Part-time work is when an individual works fewer than 31 hours a week.
	(196) A child is an individual aged under 16 years, or an unmarried 16 to 18-year-old on a course up to and including 'A' level standard, up to and including Scottish 'Highers' or up to and including an equivalent course in Northern Ireland.
	Note:
	Due to rounding the estimates for the sub-groups may not add to the total for all individuals.
	Source:
	Family Resources Survey
	Background notes:
	Appendix 4 of the latest publication of the 'Households Below Average Income 199495 to 200405' presents figures for the United Kingdom for pensioners, people of working age, children, and all individuals. Data at UK level are only available from 200203.
	Figures are for the UK, and are marginally different from the GB headline figures shown in the main section of the HBAI publication.

Press Coverage

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on how many occasions since 1 April 2003 he has complained to the Press Complaints Commission about the coverage in the press of (a) Ministers or officials and (b) his Department; and how many of these complaints were upheld.

Anne McGuire: The Department has made no such complaints during this period.

Press Officers

David Ruffley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department spent on press officers in each year since 199697, broken down by grade.

Anne McGuire: The Department for Work and Pensions was formed on 8 June 2001 from parts of the former Department of Social Security, the former Department for Education and Employment and the Employment Service. Information prior to 2001 is not held centrally and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The information regarding grade is not available and can only be obtained at disproportionate cost.
	
		Costs
		
			  Cost () 
		
		
			 200102 816,725 
			 200203 1,739,935 
			 200304 1,146,255 
			 200405 1,533,703 
		
	
	
		Number of press officers employed
		
			  National press officers(197) Regional press officers(197) 
		
		
			 200102 21 0 
			 200203 16 13 
			 200304 20 20 
			 200405 19 23 
		
	
	(197) The number of staff is the number in post at 31 March each year.
	Note:
	The costs are based on average salaries for the year and take into account the actual number of press officers and changes in post each month.

Regulatory Reform Orders

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many regulatory reform orders his Department has laid before Parliament in each of the last five calendar years.

Anne McGuire: The Department has laid before Parliament two regulatory reform orders during the last five years, as set out in the following table.
	
		
			  Title Initial scrutiny start Outcome 
		
		
			 2001 None   
			 2002 The Regulatory Reform (Vaccine Damage Payments Act 1979) Order 2002 14 January 2002 Made 
			  The Regulatory Reform (Carer's Allowance) Order 2002 17 December 2001 Made 
			 2003 None   
			 2004 None   
			 2005 None

Spending Review (Efficiency Targets)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much is expected to be saved as a result of meeting the civil service work force reductions targets for his Department set out in the 2004 Spending Review; and whether these savings count towards the agreed efficiency target for his Department set out in the review.

Anne McGuire: On the basis of current average wage costs the efficiency headcount reduction of 30,000 net, the Department forecasts savings of around 698 million per annum at the end of March 2008. The actual savings will be influenced by factors such as the grades of staff remaining in the Department once the headcount reductions have been achieved. The savings achieved by March 2008 will count towards the agreed efficiency target for the Department.

Spending Review (Efficiency Targets)

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what interim targets he has set for achieving (a) the agreed efficiency target for his Department and (b) the civil service work force reductions targets for (i) gross reductions in posts, (ii) net reductions in posts and (iii) relocations for his Department, as set out in the 2004 Spending Review; what the baseline figures are against which these interim targets are assessed; on what dates they will take effect; and by what dates these interim targets are intended to be met.

Anne McGuire: The Department has not set interim targets for achieving the financial or headcount targets for the Department's overall efficiency targets but does monitor progress towards the achievement of its targets against indicative profiles by year and by business area. The baselines for the relocation of posts was zero and the baseline for the gross and net headcount reductions was 132,550 in Full Time Equivalent posts as defined in the current counting methodology. Financial savings were defined by the Department's financial allocations as set out in the Spending Review 2004 White Paper.

Volunteering

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment his Department has made of the role of voluntary groups and volunteering in helping move people from benefits into work.

Margaret Hodge: Volunteering is one of the key ways an individual can build up confidence and gain valuable work-related skills after a period out of work. People on incapacity benefits can already undertake unlimited voluntary work for charities and voluntary organisations and we intend to extend this provision to the new employment and support allowance. The recent Russell Commission report on youth action and engagement recommended that young people on benefits and their families should not suffer a financial barrier when they volunteer. The Department for Work and Pensions and the Home Office are working together to communicate existing rules more effectively to volunteer-involving organisations, local authorities and young people.
	Voluntary groups undertake a very important role in helping people into work. Jobcentre Plus has recently carried out a stock take of its current and planned non-contractual partnerships with voluntary and community sector organisations. The findings show that nationally Jobcentre Plus has a relationship with over 1,900 voluntary organisations. We provide information for them about our services, policies and programmes through local liaison, our customer representative Forum programme, and our magazine for advisers, intermediaries and other advisers, Touchbase. We also consult widely with key national voluntary sector organisations in shaping our policies and services.
	Through these partnerships, Jobcentre Plus customers can access confidential advice and support on issues such as housing, redundancy, job matching, health, various forms of rehabilitation, citizenship courses, debt counselling, and child care.

Winter Fuel Allowance

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the cost of the winter fuel allowance was in 2005; and what the total cost has been since the scheme was established;
	(2)  what the total cost of the winter fuel allowance in the Walsall borough (a) was for 2005 and (b) has been since the scheme started.

Stephen Timms: The information is in the following table.
	
		 million, cash terms
		
			  Winter fuel allowance paid in Great Britain Winter fuel allowance paid in Walsall 
		
		
			 199798 191 n/a 
			 199899 194 n/a 
			 19992000 759 4 
			 200001 1,749 8 
			 200102 1,681 8 
			 200203 1,705 8 
			 200304 1,916 9 
			 200405 2,475 11 
			 200506 1,994 n/a 
			 Total 12,664 n/a 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Breakdowns at borough level are only available from 19992000 to 200405.
	2. Figures for 200405 include age-related payments, for people aged 70 or over, which cannot be separated from winter fuel payments.
	3. Figures are rounded to the nearest  million.
	4. The figure for the total amount spent in 200506 is estimated outturn- the outturn figure and a figure for Walsall will be available later in the year.
	5. The DWP expenditure tables can be viewed on the internet at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/expenditure.asp
	Source:
	DWP Expenditure tables, consistent with Budget 2006, and accounting data from DWP Information Directorate.

World Cup (Complimentary Tickets)

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complimentary tickets his Department has received for games taking place at the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany.

Anne McGuire: My Department has received no complimentary tickets for any games taking place at the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Departmental Staff (Stress)

David Simpson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many people have been on sick leave suffering from stress in her Department in each of the last three years; and what percentage of the total staff number this represents.

Bridget Prentice: The number of sickness absence days is recorded by the Department, however there is limited current information available on how much of that is attributable to stress. The way that absence is recorded does not show how many individuals the figures relate to but it does show what percentage of absence is stress-related. The most recent available figures are for the years between April 2000 and March 2003, and are broken down as follows:
	
		
			  Days lost to stress Percentage of all absences 
		
		
			 April 2000 to March 2001 25,246 25.4 
			 April 2001 to March 2002 20,075 19.8 
			 April 2002 to March 2003 30,096 21

Departmental Televisions

Jo Swinson: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many television sets are in operation in the Department (a) in total, (b) in Minister's private offices and (c) in each office building in the Department; and how many television licences are held by the Department.

Harriet Harman: My Department has (a) a total of 41 working televisions including (b) 15 which are in Minister's Private Offices and (c) are located as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Selborne House, London 30 
			 Chancery Lane, London 2 
			 Clive House, London 3 
			 Abbey Orchard Street, London 2 
			 Millbank Tower, London 1 
			 Steel House, London 1 
			 Archway Tower, London 2 
		
	
	The number of television licences held by my Department totals five. These cover the core HQ Buildings; Selborne House, Steel House, Clive House, Abbey Orchard Street and Archway Tower.
	This answer relates solely to the Department for Constitutional Affairs, HQ Estate and not to Her Majesty's Court Service, related agencies or NDPB's as to gather this information would incur a disproportionate cost. The Scotland and Wales offices have submitted their own, separate answers to this question.

Jersey, Guernsey and Sark

Justine Greening: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs on what occasions members of the Privy Council for the Affairs of Jersey, Guernsey and Sark have not recommended legislation proposed by those Crown dependencies in the last 10 years; on what basis such decisions were made; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: There has been only one occasion in the last 10 years when Channel Islands legislation submitted for approval was not recommended for Royal Assent. On that occasion the request for approval of the Constitution of Sark Law was withdrawn by the Sark Parliament before the Committee for the Affairs of Jersey and Guernsey had come to a conclusion.

Notaries Public

Edward Davey: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what representations her Department has received on the removal of barriers to British notaries public working in the EU.

Bridget Prentice: As I set out in my response to the hon. Member for North-East Hertfordshire (Mr. Heald):
	In 2006, my Department received one letter from a Member of Parliament concerning notaries public. No correspondence from notaries public or from members of the public was received in 2005.
	The Notaries Society touched upon this issue in their response to the White Paper, The Future of Legal Services.[Official Report, 22 March 2006; Vol. 444, c. 457W]

Notaries Public

Edward Davey: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what research her Department has commissioned into the barriers to British notaries public working in the EU.

Bridget Prentice: No research has been commissioned or is planned.

Notaries Public

Edward Davey: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what guidance she has provided for British notaries public practising abroad.

Bridget Prentice: As the Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs has no role in the regulation or conduct of notaries, no guidance has been provided.

Political Parties (Liquidation)

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what arrangements are in place for (a) liquidation, (b) bankruptcy and (c) placing in administration of registered political parties.

Bridget Prentice: The requirements for the registration and administration of political parties is set out in the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA). There are no rules regarding liquidation, bankruptcy or placing in administration of registered political parties in the Act. There are over 300 registered political parties in the United Kingdom. Some of these are also registered companies, and therefore will be subject to the specific requirements of companies legislation.

Post-mortems (Haringey)

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many (a) routine and (b) special post-mortems were carried out by each pathologist in Haringey Coroner Services in 2005.

Harriet Harman: The North London coroner believes that (a) about 700 routine post-mortem examinations and (b) about 25 to 30 special post-mortem examinations were performed at Hornsey in 2005. Exact information is not held centrally.

Post-mortems (Haringey)

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs how many (a) special and (b) routine post-mortems have been carried out by the Haringey Coroner Services in each of the last five years.

Harriet Harman: The North London coroner believes that (a) about 700 routine post-mortem examinations and (b) about 25 to 30 special post-mortem examinations are performed at Hornsey Public Mortuary each year. Exact information is not held centrally.

Superannuation Liability

Philip Hammond: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the total amount of employers' normal contributions accruing superannuation liability charge that have been accounted for by her Office has been in each of the last five years for which data are available.

Bridget Prentice: The amount of employers' accruing superannuation liability charges in respect of members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme in the last five years is:
	
		 million
		
			  Amount 
		
		
			 200405(198) 33.2 
			 200304(198) 31.3 
			 200203(198) 28.7 
			 200102 26.0 
			 200001 24.8 
		
	
	(198) From 1 October 2002 new entrants have been able to opt for a partnership pension account, a stakeholder arrangement with an employer contribution. Employers' contributions to partnership pension accounts are not included in the above figures.

SCOTLAND

2014 Commonwealth Games

David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assistance his Department is giving to Glasgow and Scotland's bid to host the 2014 Commonwealth Games; and if he will make a statement.

David Cairns: Patricia Ferguson, the Scottish Executive Minister for Tourism, Culture and Sport, and I are jointly hosting a reception in the Scotland Office, in London, on 25 April to back the Glasgow bid for 2014 Commonwealth Games.

Capita Group

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much business his Department has placed with (a) Capita Group plc and (b) its subsidiaries in each of the last five years; what the total value is of outstanding contracts placed with Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries by his Department; for which current tenders issued by his Department (i) Capita Group plc and (ii) its subsidiaries have been invited to bid; and whether (A) Capita Group plc and (B) its subsidiaries have seconded staff (1) temporarily and (2) on a longer-term basis to his Department.

David Cairns: The Scotland Office has made use of Capita Business Services on the following one-off occasions;
	
		
			   
		
		
			 200102 340 
			 200203 10,044 
			 200304 0 
			 200405 0 
			 200506 0 
		
	
	In the last five years, no contracts have been awarded to, tenders invited from, or staff seconded from, Capita plc or its subsidiaries.

Capita Group

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 
	(1)  what the value of contracts held by his Department with (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries was in the last three financial years;
	(2)  how many tenders (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries has submitted to his Department in each of the last three years; and how many tenders were successful;
	(3)  how many contracts his Department holds with (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries which still have a potential duration of five years or more.

David Cairns: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave today to the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell (Chris Grayling).

Departmental Staff

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many and what proportion of (a) staff and (b) new staff employed in his Department were registered as disabled in each of the last three years for which data are available.

David Cairns: The Cabinet Office collects and publishes annually statistical information on the civil service by Department. This includes data on the number of staff in departments who have voluntarily declared a disability. The latest available information at April 2004 is available in the Library and on the civil service website and the following addresses.
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/statistics/publications/xls/disability_apr04_4nov04.xls for data relating to 1 April 2004 and
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/statistics/archive/index.asp for previous reporting periods.

Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of members of the principal civil service pension scheme in his Department joined the scheme before the age of (a) 20, (b) 25, (c) 30, (d) 35, (e) 40, (f) 45 and (g) over 45 years old.

David Cairns: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary for the Cabinet Office, on Wednesday 29 March.

Time

David Mundell: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will assess the merits of devolving to the Scottish Parliament responsibility for setting time in Scotland.

David Cairns: This matter was considered at some length during the passage of the Scotland Bill. The Government remain of the view that this issue should be reserved.

World Cup (Complimentary Tickets)

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many complimentary tickets his Department has received for games taking place at the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany.

David Cairns: The Scotland Office has not received any complimentary tickets for the World Cup taking place in Germany this summer.

World Heritage

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which Minister in his Department has responsibility for issues relating to World Heritage sites.

David Cairns: Lead responsibility for policy on World Heritage sites rests with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. I take an interest in issues relating to such sites in Scotland.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Animal Testing

Robert Goodwill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many LD50 animal tests have been carried out on botulinum toxin in each of the last 10 years.

Andy Burnham: Information regarding acute lethal toxicity tests is contained in Table 12 of the annual publication Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain, a copy of which is in the Library.
	It is not possible to identify individual substances which were tested using the various types of test described in Table 12 using the data collected by the Home Office under the provisions of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Neither is it possible to identify separately LD50 tests from other types of lethal toxicity test.

Animal Testing

Robert Goodwill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of botulinum toxin subject to LD50 animal tests was destined for (a) cosmetic and (b) therapeutic uses in the last period for which figures are available.

Andy Burnham: Animal testing of botulinum toxin, licensed under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, is conducted solely in relation to its use for clinical purposes as a prescription-only medicine.
	Furthermore, no substances intended solely for use as cosmetics, or cosmetic ingredients, have been tested on animals in the United Kingdom since 1998 and no licences for this purpose have been granted since that date.
	Information regarding acute lethal toxicity tests is contained in Table 12 of the annual publication Statistics of Scientific Procedures on Living Animals Great Britain 2004, a copy of which is in the Library. Home Office records do not show how many of these procedures related to the testing of botulinum toxin.

Departmental Staff

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department spenton temporary staff in each year between 2001 and 2005; and how much it has spent on such staff since July 2004.

Charles Clarke: Between the years 2001 and 2005, the Home Office has spent the following amounts on temporary staff:
	
		
			  Spend on temporary staff () 
		
		
			 2001 20,669,056 
			 2002 41,713,675 
			 2003 54,466,279 
			 2004 38,963,830 
			 2005 15,309,071 
		
	
	Expenditure on temporary staff since July 2004 is 55,371,473.14.
	The immigration and nationality directorate accounted for approximately 75 per cent. of the cost for this financial year, 200405. During the current financial year, this has reduced to approximately 36 per cent. of the total cost.
	The use of temporary staff provides the Home Office with cost effective, flexible resources which can be employed at very short notice. Their employment often allows the Department to react quickly to changes in the demands that it faces by deploying appropriately skilled and experienced individuals quickly to those areas of the business where they are most needed.

Departmental Televisions

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many television sets are in operation in the Department (a) in total, (b) in Minister's private offices and (c) in each office building in the Department; and how many television licences are held by the Department.

Charles Clarke: The Department does not hold central records of television sets in operation across its estate. Within 2 Marsham Street there are 77 sets centrally provided for operational purposes, 21 of which are in Ministers' private offices and a further 70 are provided for general staff communications. The latter provision has enabled a saving of over 140,000 per annum on poster campaigns and other methods of communication previously used. This amends the reply given to the hon. Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb) on 11 January 2006, Official Report, column 185W, which did not refer to all sets used for operational purposes. No TV licence is required for these sets.
	
		2 Marsham Street televisions
		
			 Owners of TVs Number 
		
		
			 CD 70 
			 Press Office 17 
			 Private Office (Ministers and  others combined) 37 (21 in Ministers' Private Offices) 
			   
			 Private TVs  
			 Mark Neale DG Security and Organised Crime 1 
			 Helen Field CD 1 
			 ISLU 1 
			 Private Office Drivers 1 
			 Private Office Protection 1 
			 Permanent Secretary 1 
			 Louise Casey 1 
			 Jim Acton ISLU 1 
			 Duty Officers Room (CSSU) 1 
			 LAB 1 
			 LAB Library 1 
			 TPU 11 
			 ISLU 1 
			   
			 Total 147

DNA Databases

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the compatibility of DNA databases in England and Wales with those in (a) Scotland and (b) Northern Ireland; and what procedures need to be followed for making samples held by the police in one part of the UK available to police in another part.

Andy Burnham: The profiles on the 'local' DNA databases in Scotland and Northern Ireland are fully compatible with those on the national DNA database. Subject sample profiles taken in Scotland and Northern Ireland and crime scene profiles from Scotland and Northern Ireland are added to the national DNA database (NDNAD) as well as the local databases. Any matches resulting from a speculative search of the Scottish and Northern Ireland profiles against the NDNAD are automatically reported to the relevant police forces in Scotland, Northern Ireland, England and Wales.

DNA Databases

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the countries to whom DNA data collected in the UK has been sent; and how many pieces of data were sent to each in each year in which such data was sent.

Andy Burnham: There are a number of channels for the exchange of DNA information between the United Kingdom and other countries. They include: the United Kingdom National Central Bureau for Interpol (UK NCB) based at the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) which is often used to provide DNA profile data to other countries; bi-lateral direct liaison between law enforcement authorities; and formal mutual legal assistance channels. Exchanges of DNA information via these channels will almost always be a response to the needs of a specific criminal investigation.
	The UK NCB is not currently able to provide data on the countries to which DNA profiles have been sent or on the number of DNA profiles sent to other countries in pursuit of specific criminal investigations. This information will be available later this year following the introduction of a new data collection system (this will not apply to retrospective data). However, it is estimated that DNA data are sent out by the UK NCB to one or more countries on two or three occasions each week. DNA data are only sent abroad where this is deemed necessary by the investigator, and are subject to data protection and human rights risk assessment. No data are available on the number of exchanges of DNA information which occur through direct liaison between law enforcement authorities or formal mutual legal assistance channels.
	There have been two significant exchanges of DNA information in the last two years. In October 2004, 1,687 DNA crime scene profiles from undetected sexual offences in the UK were submitted to the Interpol DNA database (via the UK NCB). In February 2006, 10,763 DNA crime scene profiles from unsolved serious crimes committed in the UK were sent to the Netherlands for checking against the Netherlands DNA database.
	The latter resulted from direct liaison and the development of a reciprocal agreement between the Dutch police and UK police representatives as the Netherlands is currently unable to take advantage of existing exchange mechanisms such as the Interpol database due to legislative restrictions. The Dutch authorities are working towards a solution to allow ratification of the existing mechanisms and also intend to send DNA profiles from unsolved Dutch crime scenes for checking against the UK national DNA database.

DNA Databases

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has ruled out use of DNA material as part of his proposed identity card scheme.

Andy Burnham: There are no powers in the Identity Cards Act 2006 to require an applicant for an ID card to provide a DNA sample.

Identity Cards

Danny Alexander: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how much his Department (a) has paid and (b) plans to pay in future years to companies working on the Identity Cards programme; which companies have so far received payments; and how much each such company was paid.

Andy Burnham: The amounts paid to companies for work on the Identity Cards Programme since 6 April 2005 is shown in the table. Companies are engaged on different commercial terms depending on the nature of the work. For example KPMG was engaged for a one- off assignment, while others have ongoing contracts or have supplied secondees or personnel. Field Fisher Waterhouse is engaged on a call-off basis and its services are used as and when commercial legal advice is required.
	The contract with PA Consulting commenced in May 2004 and lasts up to a maximum of three years. The contract may be terminated with one month's notice. The total values of the contracts with Whitehead Mann and SIGMA are 50,000 and 75,000 respectively. We cannot release details of estimated contract values for suppliers who will deliver the Identity Cards Scheme as the procurement phase has not yet commenced. These estimates are therefore commercially sensitive and releasing them may prejudice the programme's ability to achieve value for money from the market.
	
		
			 Company Services received Total paid since 6 April 2005 () 
		
		
			 Field Fisher Waterhouse Commercial Legal advice 521,567.37 
			 Interleader Ltd Provides a member of the Independent Assurance Panel 1,582.19 
			 Veredus London Provision of an Interim Manager 134,846.45 
			 The Metropolitan Police Provision of a secondee 34,902.00 
			 PA Consulting Consultancy Services 14,248,799.21 
			 KPMG Accountancy (review of business case) 90,000 
			 CESG Technical and Security Consultancy Services 92,508.31 
			 Ernst and Young Human Resources Consultancy Services 111,211.00 
			 Partnership UK Ltd Consultancy Services 57,302.70 
			 SIGMA Benefits Mapping Consultancy Services 36,600 
			 Abbey Consulting Ltd Consultancy Services 4,054.57 
			 Whitehead Mann Ltd Recruitment Services 16,666.67 
			 Alan Hughes Provides Chair of Independent Assurance Panel 16,329.29 
			 Total  15,366,369.76

Jury Service

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend the age limits for possible jury service; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: The age range for eligibility for jury service is 18 to 70. The Government agree with Lord Justice Auld's finding in his Review of the Criminal Courts that there is no compelling case for changing the present upper limit.

Police

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to his answer of 9 March 2006, Official Report, column 1671W, on police, if he will list the members of the working group led by his Department; on what dates it met; and if he will place in the Library the minutes of the meetings.

Hazel Blears: The Restructuring Finance Working Group provides continuing advice to inform the development of government policy. It is chaired by the Head of the Police Finance and Information Technology Unit, Home Office. Members are drawn from the Home Office, Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, HM Treasury, Welsh Assembly Government, the Local Government Association, the Association of Chief Police Officers, the Association of Police Authorities, the Metropolitan Police Authority and Metropolitan Police Service. It has met on 14 December, 12 January and 10 February and will meet again shortly. We do not routinely publish minutes from the Working Group.

Police

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police stations have (a) opened and (b) closed in each police force area in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The local police authorities own all police stations. The management of the police estate and allocation of resources are matters for each police authority and the chief officer, who are responsible for assessing local needs. Information provided by the forces is set out in the table.
	
		Number of police stations opened and closed since 200001
		
			  200001 200102 200203 
			  Opened Closed Opened Closed Opened Closed 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 2 0 2 0 1 -1 
			 Bedfordshire 0 0 2 0 0 0 
			 Cambridgeshire 0 -1 0 0 0 -1 
			 Cheshire 1 -2 0 -1 1 0 
			 City of London 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Cleveland (199) (199) (199) (199) 1 -1 
			 Cumbria 0 0 1 -1 0 0 
			 Derbyshire 1 0 1 -1 0 0 
			 Devon and Cornwall (199) (199) (199) (199) 0 0 
			 Dorset 0 -3 3 -2 0 -1 
			 Durham 3 -3 0 -2 1 -1 
			 Dyfed-Powys 0 0 5 0 5 -5 
			 Essex 4 -19 1 -3 0 0 
			 Gloucestershire 1 -6 2 -4 0 -1 
			 Gtr Manchester 0 -2 0 0 0 0 
			 Gwent 0 -7 0 0 0 -3 
			 Hampshire 1 -4 0 -4 0 -4 
			 Hertfordshire 4 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Humberside 2 -2 0 -1 2 -1 
			 Kent 0 0 2 -2 0 0 
			 Lancashire 0 -1 0 0 2 -2 
			 Leicestershire 0 0 1 -1 3 -3 
			 Lincolnshire 0 0 0 -1 0 -2 
			 Metropolitan (199) (199) (199) (199) 0 -2 
			 Merseyside 0 -1 0 0 0 0 
			 Norfolk 0 0 1 -3 2 -1 
			 Northamptonshire 0 -1 0 0 0 0 
			 Northumbria 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 North Wales 0 -2 0 -1 0 -1 
			 North Yorkshire 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Nottinghamshire 2 0 1 0 1 -2 
			 South Wales 1 -4 1 -4 1 -4 
			 South Yorkshire 3 -6 6 -8 2 -5 
			 Staffordshire 0 0 2 -2 0 0 
			 Suffolk 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Surrey 6 0 1 0 3 0 
			 Sussex 0 0 0 0 2 0 
			 Thames Valley 0 -4 2 0 5 -5 
			 Warwickshire 0 0 0 0 0 -1 
			 West Mercia 1 -1 1 -1 0 0 
			 West Midlands (199) (199) (199) (199) (199) (199) 
			 West Yorkshire 2 0 0 -1 0 0 
			 Wiltshire 0 0 1 -1 3 -1 
			 Total 34 -69 36 -44 35 -48 
		
	
	
		
			  200304 200405 
			  Opened Closed Opened Closed 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 0 0 1 -1 
			 Bedfordshire 0 0 1 -2 
			 Cambridgeshire 1 -1 2 -2 
			 Cheshire 1 -1 1 -4 
			 City of London 0 0 0 0 
			 Cleveland 2 0 2 -1 
			 Cumbria 1 -1 3 -1 
			 Derbyshire 0 0 1 -3 
			 Devon and Cornwall 0 0 3 -3 
			 Dorset 2 -1 2 -1 
			 Durham 0 -2 0 0 
			 Dyfed-Powys 2 -1 1 1 
			 Essex 1 0 2 -1 
			 Gloucestershire 0 0 0 0 
			 Gtr Manchester 4 -5 14 -15 
			 Gwent 2 -1 2 0 
			 Hampshire 0 -7 0 0 
			 Hertfordshire 0 0 0 0 
			 Humberside 5 -2 7 -2 
			 Kent 0 -1 0 0 
			 Lancashire 1 -7 0 -6 
			 Leicestershire 0 0 0 -1 
			 Lincolnshire 0 -1 0 -1 
			 Metropolitan 3 -3 0 1 
			 Merseyside 0 0 0 0 
			 Norfolk 0 -4 0 0 
			 Northamptonshire 0 0 0 0 
			 Northumbria 0 0 0 0 
			 North Wales 0 0 0 1 
			 North Yorkshire 2 -1 2 -1 
			 Nottinghamshire 1 -1 3 -3 
			 South Wales 0 0 0 0 
			 South Yorkshire 0 -1 0 -1 
			 Staffordshire 0 -1 0 0 
			 Suffolk 1 -1 1 1 
			 Surrey 0 0 0 0 
			 Sussex 0 0 0 0 
			 Thames Valley 1 -1 10 0 
			 Warwickshire 0 -1 1 -2 
			 West Mercia 2 0 0 0 
			 West Midlands 1 -4 1 2 
			 West Yorkshire 0 0 0 0 
			 Wiltshire 3 -2 2 -/ 
			 Total 36 -51 62 -47 
		
	
	(199) Police forces were unable to supply confirmed data.
	Note:
	Avon and Somerset, Greater Manchester, Hampshire and West Midlands: Updated data previously supplied in 2004.

Police

Elfyn Llwyd: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the set up costs of the proposed Welsh police force will be; what the average set up costs of amalgamated forces in England will be; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The estimated set up costs of a strategic police force for Wales is 35 million. Long term savings made possible by the merger are currently estimated at around 16 million a year.
	The varied conditions in different merger groups are reflected in different estimates of set-up costs. For most groups estimated set-up costs are in the range 30 million to 50 million.

Police

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the latest review of the proposed merger of the south west police constabularies is expected (a) to begin and (b) to report to Ministers; and what the terms of reference are of the review.

Hazel Blears: Assessment of options involving the south west police forces and authorities is nearing completion. Once complete the Home Secretary will discuss with chief officers and chairs of police authorities in the south west the best option for that area.

Prison

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to undertake further research into the proportion of the prison population that have (a) learning disabilities, (b) mental health problems and (c) learning disabilities and mental health problems; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply.
	The Home Office began a four-year longitudinal study of 4,000 prisoners, Surveying Prisoner Crime Reduction, in late 2005. The Department of Health, Department for Work and Pensions, and the Department for Education and Skills are also stakeholders. The aims of the study are to assess prisoners' problems and needs on reception, examine how these are addressed during and after custody, and to measure the association between prisoners' participation in interventions and outcomes, including re-offending. The study involves interviews with a large and representative sample of prisoners at three stages: on reception to custody, prior to release and finally back in the community. The initial stage, on first reception into custody, will measure the proportion of this group with mental disorder. Prisoners will also be asked if they believe themselves to have a learning disability.

Prison

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 14 March 2006, Official Report, column 2120W, what assessment he has made of the extent to which attempts have been made by prisoners to indoctrinate other prisoners with fundamentalist religious views.

Fiona Mactaggart: holding answer 17 March 2006
	The extent to which any person influences another is very difficult to measure. Indoctrination is a very subtle process and would not in itself constitute a measurable incident. If one prisoner were to be seen as exerting a disproportionate power over another, this would classify as a bullying incident. Incidents of bullying are monitored at a local level as part of each prison's violence reduction strategy, but no central data is held. All prisons have multi-faith chaplaincy teams to meet the faith needs of prisoners, and to provide religious education and awareness, and pastoral support.

Prison

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the impact of returning a prisoner who has successfully completed his course at HM Prison Grendon into the general prison population on his continued mental health and well being;
	(2)  what steps are being taken by his Department to increase support for prisoners who have successfully completed courses at HM Prison Grendon and who have been returned to the general prison population.

Fiona Mactaggart: We are starting work to better address the requirements of prisoners with mental health needs who have participated in therapeutic regimes like those at HMP Grendon. We are taking these steps in recognition that the beneficial effects of such regimes need to be maintained, and be part of a care pathway for individual prisoners that includes appropriate care on return to the mainstream regime and upon release into the community.

Prison

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many inmates at each prison were resuscitated by staff after serious self-harm incidents in each of the last five years.

Fiona Mactaggart: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 20 March 2006, Official Report, column 122W.

Prison

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the (a) accessibility to and (b) take-up by prisoners of higher education.

Fiona Mactaggart: Higher education is available, in principle, to each offender detained in custody, although the process by which courses of study are approved take account of public protection issues in barring some offenders from some courses. No central assessment has been made of the take up of higher education opportunities by offenders in custody.

Prison

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent assessment he has made of the (a) demand and (b) supply of (i) further and (ii) higher education in each prison; what mechanisms exist to ensure that supply equals demand; and what action he is taking to increase levels of education provision in prison establishments.

Fiona Mactaggart: I have appointed a head of learning and skills within each prison. Their role includes the assessment of education supply and demand within each prison, and local management of the education provider's contract. Heads of learning and skills report direct to the governor and are members of the prison's senior management team.
	New offender learning and skills delivery arrangements, set out in the Green Paper Reducing Re-Offending Through Skills and Employment (December 2005). As the new Learning and Skills Council planning and funding responsibilities are implemented, the strategic role of the head of learning and skills in assessing education supply and demand across the entire prison regime becomes a key function. The new arrangements will also increase the supply of education provision by reducing the incidence of wasteful repeat assessment as offenders move around the criminal justice system.

Prison

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 7 February 2006, Official Report, column 1135W, on prisons, what plans he has to increase enrolment in education activities at each prison.

Fiona Mactaggart: The Green Paper Reducing Re-Offending Through Skills and Employment set out the Government's plans for delivering a better quality and increasingly effective learning and skills service for offenders. Closely allied to the introduction of end-to-end offender management, we expect to increase enrolment in education activities in prisons through better assessment and planning, through a wider curriculum choice and through progressive development of the offender learning and correctional services work force.

Prison

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the provision of education at HM Prison Bullingdon.

Fiona Mactaggart: Education at HMP Bullingdon is provided by Milton Keynes College through a contract it holds with the Prison Service. Vocational training is provided by Prison Service staff. The Learning and Skills Council will take responsibility for planning and funding learning and skills at HMP Bullingdon from 31 July 2006 and is currently engaged in a procurement process to appoint a provider to deliver both elements of the current service at the establishment.

Prison

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff are (a) designated and (b) deployed at (i) each prison and (ii) Prison Service Headquarters for the operation of the OASys computer system.

Fiona Mactaggart: Information about OASys staff in prison establishments is not held centrally and cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost. However, all prison establishments have an OASys manager, an OASys clerk and OASys assessors and supervisors sufficient to meet operational needs.
	22 staff, expressed as full time equivalents, work in Prison Service Headquarters and the Headquarters of the National Offender Management Service to support OASys in prisons.

Prison

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prisoners have (a) studied and (b) graduated with (i) a Bachelor's degree, (ii) a Master's degree and (iii) a Doctorate in each prison establishment in each year since 1997; what plans he has to increase the higher education qualifications achieved in prisons; what timetable he envisages for the planned increases in higher education delivered in prisons; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: The information requested on the number of prisoners who have studied for, and graduated with, Bachelor's degrees, Master's degrees, and Doctorates, by establishment, is not collected centrally and could be obtained at disproportionate cost.
	Spending on higher education in prisons is again planned to exceed 1 million in 200607. We expect that budget to fund 350 Access Courses and 450 First Modules for new starters, in addition to funding the tutorial costs of those students already engaged in courses of higher study.

Prison

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to extend access to offending behaviour programmes for those in custody.

Fiona Mactaggart: The national offender manager and the ten regional offender managers commission services for offenders in custody and the community. Decisions about extending offending behaviour programmes for offenders in custody will be made by the commissioners on the basis of evidence of need, and the effectiveness of programmes.

Prison

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of vulnerable inmates are sex offenders.

Fiona Mactaggart: All sex offenders could be considered to be vulnerable in certain settings. However, not all sex offenders are located in vulnerable prisoner units (VPUs). A large proportion are managed successfully and safely on normal location, for example in prisons holding exclusively sex offenders. Information on the proportion of prisoners in VPUs who are sex offenders is not held centrally and could be obtained only by examining the records of every prisoner held in a VPU. This would incur disproportionate cost.

Prison

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the prisons which house vulnerable inmates.

Fiona Mactaggart: Many prisoners could be considered vulnerable at times during their period in custody, and may be managed in a variety of ways including temporary segregation for their own protection or transfer to another establishment. The list of prisons with designated vulnerable prisoner units is as follows.
	Prisons in England and Wales with designated vulnerable prisoner units
	Eastern area
	Bedford
	Chelmsford
	Norwich
	Littlehey 1
	Wayland
	East Midlands area
	Lincoln
	Whatton 1
	High Security Prisons
	Belmarsh
	Frankland
	Full Sutton
	Long Lartin
	Manchester
	Wakefield 1
	Whitemoor
	Woodhill
	Kent area
	Elmley
	Maidstone
	London area
	Holloway 2
	Pentonville
	Wandsworth
	North-east area
	Acklington 1
	North-west area
	Liverpool
	Risley
	Styal 2
	Wymott 1
	South-west area
	Bristol
	Channings Wood
	Dartmoor
	Dorchester
	Exeter
	Surrey and Sussex area
	Lewes
	Thames Valley, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight area
	Albany 1
	Aylesbury
	Bullingdon
	Parkhurst
	Reading
	Winchester
	Wales
	Swansea
	Usk
	West Midlands area
	Birmingham
	Blakenhurst
	Stafford
	Shrewsbury
	Yorkshire and Humberside area
	Hull
	Leeds
	Contracted Prisons
	Parc (Wales)
	Rye Hill (East Midlands)
	1 Denotes prison holding predominantly prisoners participating in Sex Offender Treatment Programmes.
	2 Denotes female prison.

Prison

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the use of segregation unit facilities for mentally ill inmates at each prison.

Fiona Mactaggart: Decisions on the circumstances under which prisoners may be placed within segregation units is for governing governors locally, mindful of the provisions in Prison Service Order 1700 on Segregation; Prison Service Order 2000, The Adjudications Manual, and Prison Service Order 2700 on Suicide and Self Harm.
	A national Steering Group has recently been formed in partnership with Prison Health and Safer Custody Group, from the Health and Offender Partnerships unit within the National Offender Management Service (NOMS), and the Prison Service Security Group. Its purpose is to ensure that people being managed in segregated settings have access to a similar range of high quality health and mental health services as those living in the community receive.

Prison

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the costs of transporting inmates from HMP Belmarsh to (a) Woolwich Crown Court and (b) the Central Criminal Court; and if he will make a statement.

Fiona Mactaggart: Under the contract for escorting non-category A prisoners the cost of escorts from HMP Belmarsh to both Woolwich Crown Court and the Central Criminal Court is 29.72 per journey. These costs may be subject to penalties imposed for failing to meet the terms of the contract.
	Separate arrangements exist for category A prisoners who are moved by the Prison Service. The total cost of category A prisoner escorts are not recorded. However, the cost in staff time of escorting category A prisoners from HMP Belmarsh to the Central Criminal Court is on average approximately 989 per prisoner per day for a standard risk category A prisoner and 1,385 per prisoner per day for a high risk category A prisoner.
	The cost in staff time of escorting prisoners from Belmarsh to Woolwich Crown Court is on average approximately 445 per prisoner per day for a standard risk category A prisoner and 742 per prisoner for a high risk category A prisoner.

Probation Service

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of the probation service.

Fiona Mactaggart: There have been significant improvements in the performance of the probation service in recent years. However, we need to do more. We published on Thursday 30 March Working with probation to protect the public and reduce re-offending, a summary of responses to our recent consultation on restructuring probation. This sets out how we will work with the probation service and other partners and providers to develop more effective end to end management of offenders throughout their sentence. We intend to bring forward legislation to give effect to our proposals as soon as parliamentary time allows.

Rahidar Aktar Coli

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will determine the status of Rahidar Aktar Coli, wife of Habibur Rahman, about whom he wrote to Dhama Douglas Solicitors on 27 August 2004 and about whom the hon. Member for Totnes wrote to the Home Secretary on 7 November 2005; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 6 April 2006.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Academic Selection

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many representations he has received from (a) individuals and (b) organisations about the draft Education (Northern Ireland) Order; how many of those representations favoured (i) retaining and (ii) prohibiting academic ability as a criteria for admission to post-primary schools; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Smith: The responses to the consultation on the draft Education (Northern Ireland) Order are currently being analysed and it is not possible to provide the information requested. I will consider the responses carefully and a summary report on the consultation will be made available when the draft order is laid in May.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much each health trust in the Province has paid for services from the Northern Ireland Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Family Support Group in each of the last three years.

Shaun Woodward: The Health and Social Services Trusts have not commissioned any services from the Northern Ireland ADHD Family Support Group in the last three years.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what multidisciplinary early intervention services are available in the Province for those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Shaun Woodward: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder would usually be diagnosed at an early age and children suspected of having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are in the first instance referred to child development clinics for diagnosis. Services for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are provided by community paediatric clinics and child and adolescent mental health services.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to increase the services available to those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in the Province.

Shaun Woodward: Policy and services for those with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder are currently being examined under the Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability (Northern Ireland). The Review will make recommendations as to future service configuration.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what research has been conducted in the Province into the education of those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Angela Smith: The Department of Education has not funded any research into the education of those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), though does collect annual statistics on the number of children with this condition. However, Loughshore Education Resource Centre began documenting information about ADHD three years ago in a bid to be proactive in the effective teaching of these difficult to manage young people. The centre recorded specific behaviours, observable triggers, response times, lifestyle issues, parental effectiveness and community influences. It found that a child with ADHD could have a widely varying package of care depending on the circumstances of their diagnosis. The research is available in electronic or written form from the centre.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what provision is available to people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorders in the Province.

Shaun Woodward: Services for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are provided by community paediatric clinics and Child and Adolescent Mental Health services. A person aged 18 or over presenting with symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder would be dealt with through primary care and generic mental health services.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder have committed suicide in the Province in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: The General Register Office only records information on the cause of death. No information is collected on whether the deceased had attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much funding has been provided to the Northern Ireland Attention Deficit Disorder support centre in Eglantine Avenue, Belfast, in each of the last three years.

Shaun Woodward: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety assisted the Northern Ireland Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder Support Centre as follows:
	
		
			  Funding provided () 
		
		
			 200304 (200)32,954 
			 200405 25,000 
			 200506 25,000 
		
	
	(200) Includes a one-off grant of 7,954 for equipment.

Aggregates Levy

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the effect in Northern Ireland of aggregates tax levels.

Angela Smith: The Government are aware of the unique market conditions that prevail in Northern Ireland and have already taken action by securing an 80 per. cent relief from the Aggregates Levy until 2012.
	Members of the Aggregates Levy Credit Scheme (ALCS) can avail of the tax relief in return for an undertaking to carry out environmental improvements on an incremental basis. Currently 163 sites are in the ALSC and further 15 sites are currently being investigated for membership. This represents virtually all the aggregates producers in Northern Ireland. Even at the reduced rate, there were concerns over the potential negative economic impact of the Levy at the time of its introduction in 2002.
	However, an examination of headline economic indicators shows that the sector has not suffered a downturn in performance. Indeed the sector appears to have performed quite well:
	Turnover in 2004 was 18.5 per. cent higher than in 2001.
	GVA in 2004 was 12 per cent. higher than in 2001.
	In 2004 Employment was around 14 per. cent above 2001 levels.
	No redundancies have been recorded in the sector since 2001.
	However, it will not be until 2008 before comprehensive data is available to show the level of environmental improvement attained through the creation of the ALSC.

Alcohol-related Conditions

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people have presented with alcohol-related conditions at Accident and Emergency in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years.

Shaun Woodward: Information is not collected centrally on the number of people who have presented at Accident and Emergency Departments with alcohol-related conditions. However, the number of emergency admissions to hospital for alcohol-related conditions is available.
	The table provides figures on the number of emergency admissions 1 to acute hospitals in Northern Ireland, where the primary or secondary diagnosis was an alcohol-related condition, in each of the last three years for which data are available.
	
		
			  Number of admissions1 to hospital for alcohol-related conditions 
		
		
			 200405 6,581 
			 200304 6,062 
			 200203 6,137 
		
	
	(201) Discharges and Deaths are used as an approximation to admissions. It is possible that any individual could be admitted to hospital more than once in any year and will thus be counted more than once as an admission.
	Source:
	Hospital Inpatient System

Ambulance Services

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what level of night-time ambulance provision is available in each health board area in Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: The following table shows night-time cover in each health and social services board area. The figures refer to numbers of ambulance crews on duty.
	
		
			  Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday 
		
		
			 Northern 10 10 11 11 11 11 11 
			 Southern 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 
			 Eastern 18 17 17 18 18 19 19 
			 Western 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 
			 Total 45 44 45 46 47 49 49 
		
	
	Levels of ambulance cover provided by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service (NIAS) are determined by the four health and social services boards, based on historical patterns of demand. NIAS defines night-time as 12 am to 07.59 am.

Antisocial Behaviour Orders

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued in Northern Ireland since their introduction.

David Hanson: The relevant authorities have notified the Northern Ireland Office of two antisocial behaviour orders and one antisocial behaviour order on conviction in Larne district council area, one interim antisocial behaviour order in Belfast city council area, two interim anti-social behaviour orders in Coleraine borough council area one antisocial behaviour order on conviction in Dungannon district council area, and one interim antisocial behaviour order in Magherafelt district council area.

Benefit Payments

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether his plans to improve cross-border co-operation and harmonisation of services will include consideration of household benefits available to retired workers in the Republic of Ireland.

David Hanson: The benefit system in Northern Ireland operates in accordance with a long-standing principle of parity with Great Britain. There are no plans to change this policy.

Birth Statistics

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the birth rate was for 16-year olds and under in each of the last five years in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The following table gives Northern Ireland birth rates in each year between 2001 and 2005 where the mother was a Northern Ireland resident aged 16 years old or under at time of birth.
	
		
			 Registration year Number of births to mothers aged 16 and under Female population aged 1316 Birth rate(202)(5509060203) 
		
		
			 2001 171 52,800 3.2 
			 2002 150 52,400 2.9 
			 2003 155 52,000 3.0 
			 2004 172 51,600 3.3 
			 2005(204) 145  2.8 
		
	
	(202) Birth is defined to be either still or live birth. Pregnancies which resulted in the birth of twins, triplets or other multiple births are counted twice, three times, etc.
	(203) Rate per 1,000 females aged 13 to 16 years. Rate for 2005 calculated using 2004 mid-year estimates of population.
	(204) Provisional data.

Birth Statistics

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the birth rate was for (a) 19, (b) 18, (c) 17, (d) 16, (e) 15, (f) 14 and (g) 13-year-olds in each of the four health boards in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Smith: The following table gives birth rates by Health Board and age of mother in each year between 1996 and 2005 where the mother was a Northern Ireland resident.
	
		Birth rates(205)(5509060206) per 1,000 females by Health Board and age of mother, 19962005
		
			 Registration year / Mother's age(207) Eastern HSSB Northern HSSB Southern HSSB Western HSSB Northern Ireland 
		
		
			 1996  
			 Under 15 / 1 0 0 1 
			 15 3 4 2 3 3 
			 16 16 11 10 8 12 
			 17 28 28 19 26 26 
			 18 43 27 37 38 37 
			 19 54 49 57 72 56 
			 19 and under 20 17 15 19 18 
			   
			 1997  
			 Under 15 0 0 0 0 0 
			 15 4 2 1 3 3 
			 16 16 11 7 10 12 
			 17 28 33 18 25 27 
			 18 51 39 36 39 43 
			 19 51 43 56 72 53 
			 19 and under 21 18 14 19 19 
			   
			 1998  
			 Under 15 0 0 0 0 0 
			 15 3 5 2 4 4 
			 16 12 13 7 13 11 
			 17 28 23 23 28 26 
			 18 54 42 50 50 50 
			 19 55 49 57 57 54 
			 19 and under 22 18 17 20 20 
			   
			 1999  
			 Under 15 0 0 0 0 0 
			 15 6 3 3 4 4 
			 16 14 10 7 13 12 
			 17 27 29 21 29 27 
			 18 48 46 41 53 47 
			 19 57 51 59 76 59 
			 19 and under 22 19 16 22 20 
			   
			 2000  
			 Under 15 0 1 0 1 0 
			 15 4 3 3 4 4 
			 16 19 9 7 11 13 
			 17 29 24 18 21 24 
			 18 42 30 41 46 40 
			 19 51 50 53 61 52 
			 19 and under 21 16 15 18 18 
			   
			 2001  
			 Under 15 0 0 0 0 0 
			 15 5 2 1 2 3 
			 16 12 8 10 7 10 
			 17 27 21 20 13 21 
			 18 45 34 35 40 39 
			 19 44 54 49 62 50 
			 19 and under 19 16 15 16 17 
			   
			 2002  
			 Under 15 0 0 0 0 0 
			 15 3 3 1 2 2 
			 16 11 7 6 8 9 
			 17 27 19 16 26 23 
			 18 42 38 32 40 39 
			 19 49 47 39 51 47 
			 19 and under 19 16 13 18 17 
			 2003  
			 Under 15 0 0 0 0 0 
			 15 2 3 3 2 2 
			 16 13 7 8 7 9 
			 17 25 14 18 21 20 
			 18 47 32 25 31 36 
			 19 45 49 57 52 48 
			 19 and under 20 14 14 15 16 
			   
			 2004  
			 Under 15 0 0 0 0 0 
			 15 4 2 2 1 3 
			 16 11 12 8 8 10 
			 17 26 20 14 20 21 
			 18 44 31 30 31 36 
			 19 45 50 52 49 48 
			 19 and under 19 16 13 15 17 
			   
			 2005P  
			 Under 15 0 0 0 0 0 
			 15 4 2 0 2 2 
			 16 11 9 5 7 8 
			 17 28 17 20 18 22 
			 18 41 27 26 24 31 
			 19 44 44 48 50 46 
			 19 and under 19 14 13 14 16 
		
	
	(205) Birth is defined to be either still or live birth. Pregnancies which resulted in the birth of twins, triplets or other multiple births are counted twice, three times, etc.
	(206) Rate per 1,000 females aged 1314, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, and 1319 respectively. Rate for 2005 calculated using 2004 mid-year estimates of population.
	(207) Under 15 is defined to be females aged 13 or 14-year-olds.
	p Provisional data.

Birth Statistics

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many live births there were in Northern Ireland in 2005; and what the estimated figure is for 2015.

Angela Smith: The following table gives the provisional number of births registered in 2005 and the projected number of births for 2015 in Northern Ireland.
	
		Registered/projected number of births
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2005(208) 22,328 
			 2015(209) 21,700 
		
	
	(208) Provisional.
	(209) Projected number based on current demographic trends.

Blind People

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what field worker provision is available for blind people in (a) Northern Ireland and (b) in the Newtownards, North Down and Ards peninsula area.

Shaun Woodward: Every trust makes provision for sensory impairment but field workers in the area of sensory support can provide services to individuals with either a visual or hearing impairment or both. As field workers can encompass a number of grades within the Health and Personal Social Services and are also provided by the voluntary and community sector, it is impossible to provide the information as requested.

Bullying

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many pupils in Northern Ireland had to move school as a result of bullying in each of the last three years.

Angela Smith: The Department of Education does not collect information about the number of pupils who move schools as a result of bullying. Parents may move their children from one school to another, provided that there is a place available in the receiving school. Parents move their children from one school to another for a variety of reasons, which may include alleged bullying. However, there is no requirement for parents to advise any statutory agency of the reasons for the move.
	The Department recognises that bullying in whatever form and for whatever reason, has no place in schools. The Department has issued comprehensive guidance to all schools about how to tackle bullying. Further, the Education and Libraries (NI) Order 2003, which came into operation on 1 April 2003, places a duty on all grant-aided schools to have an anti-bullying policy and to draw up measures to prevent all forms of bullying among pupils.

Buses

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions bus routes were (a) stopped and (b) altered in Northern Ireland as a result of riotous behaviour in each of the last three years.

Shaun Woodward: Translink recorded the following incidents of bus routes being altered in the last three years due to riotous behaviour. The estimates relate to service disruptions due to civil unrest, rioting, stone throwing and angry crowds.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2003 132 
			 2004 54 
			 2005 122 
		
	
	Translink does not record separately occasions where bus routes were stopped. This is because very few complete routes are stopped in any year. Even under riotous conditions a bus service would run on at least part of the route.

Cancer Patients (Benefits)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what actions have been taken to assist cancer patients in the Province to access benefits.

David Hanson: For those suffering from cancer, the Social Security Agency's Disability and Carer's Service contact centre assists with telephone applications for disability living allowance (DLA), attendance allowance (AA) and carer's allowance (CA). They can also avail of the special rules scheme within DLA and AA to fast track claims for terminally ill customers. Getting either benefit under special rules means the customer gets the highest rate for help with personal care.
	In conjunction with Macmillan Cancer Relief, the agency has worked to identify and address the barriers facing cancer patients when accessing benefits. As a result of this there has been:
	enhanced cancer awareness training for agency staff;
	an information booklet Help with the Cost of Cancer was launched in March 2005; and
	an outreach service of specialist benefit advisers for those with cancer has been piloted. The pilot is currently under review.

Child Sex Abuse

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will establish an inquiry into sexual abuse of children by members of the clergy in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: There are no current plans to establish an inquiry into sexual abuse by members of the clergy in Northern Ireland.
	The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS) continues to engage with officials from the Republic of Ireland to identify ways in which we can work together to strengthen child protection within both jurisdictions, including taking account of the content of the Ferns report.
	Officials from DHSSPS and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have also met representatives of the Roman Catholic on a number of occasions to discuss matters relevant to the Ferns report.
	The department has recently published new proposals to enhance child protection and these were detailed in the Written Ministerial Statement of 20 March 2006, Official Report, column 8WS.

Child Sex Abuse

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the government of the Republic of Ireland on sexual abuse of children by members of the clergy.

Shaun Woodward: Child protection was discussed at the British Irish Inter Governmental Conference on 1 February 2006.
	The Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has written to his counterpart in the Republic of Ireland on the Ferns Report. Officials have also held discussions and exchanged information with Republic of Ireland colleagues on a range of issues arising from the Ferns Report, aimed at identifying ways in which we can strengthen co-operation in order to protect children in both jurisdictions. This includes two face-to-face meetings held on 8 November 2005 and 16 March 2006.
	Officials from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety are working jointly with Republic of Ireland colleagues to organise a child protection event later this year.
	It is anticipated that further meetings will take place with colleagues from the Republic of Ireland.

Child Sex Abuse

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what representations he has received from members of the public about sexual abuse of children by members of the clergy in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: To date, the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety has received, from members of the general public, one letter asking if there was going to be an independent public inquiry into allegations of clerical child sexual abuse and two general telephone calls seeking advice on how to report allegations of abuse by clergy.
	In terms of actual allegations of abuse, PSNI and Social Services are the statutory organisations with powers to investigate such allegations of abuse.

Child Sex Abuse

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) Roman Catholic clergy and (b) Roman Catholic school officials have been interviewed (i) as potential witnesses and (ii) as suspects by the Police Service of Northern Ireland in connection with child sexual abuse by the clergy.

Shaun Woodward: The Police Service of Northern Ireland do not record the religious background of persons interviewed. The professional status of persons interviewed is not held on a central record and to obtain these details would require a manual trawl of records at disproportionate cost.

Children's Fund

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what projects originally funded by the Executive Programme Funds Children's Fund are operating; what provision will be made to allocate resources to those projects from the 14.6 million voluntary children's funding package announced on 6 March; how those resources will be allocated; and what the timescale is for allocation.

Shaun Woodward: Ninety-seven of the one hundred projects originally supported by the Children's Fund continue to receive grant assistance from the Fund. Three projects experienced implementation difficulties at an early stage and terminated their activities. Moneys have been set aside from the additional 14.6 million announced by the Secretary of State to help existing voluntary and community sector groups in their work with disadvantaged children and young people, to continue support to these projects until March 2008, as long as the assistance is still required by them, and subject to satisfactory progress being made, and monitoring and accountability requirements being satisfied.

Civil Service

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many vacancies there are in the Northern Ireland Civil Service in each Government Department at (a) AO, (b) EOII, (c) EOI and (d) SO grades.

Angela Smith: Details of vacancies in the Northern Ireland Civil Service in each Government Department at (a) AO, (b) EOII, (c) EOI and (d) SO grades at 23 March 2006 are shown in the following table. These figures relate to vacancies for which Departments have current financial provision and are within the Departmental headcount. The table also shows identified surpluses for each grade.
	
		Vacancies/surpluses in the Northern Ireland civil service in each Government Department at 23 March 2006
		
			 Department SO vacancies SO surpluses EOI vacancies EOI surpluses EOII vacancies EOII surpluses AO vacancies AO surpluses 
		
		
			 DARD 10 0 5 0 11 (inc 1P/T) 0 10 0 
			 DETI 2 0 1 3 1 4 3 3 
			 DE 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 DRD 12 1 9 0 15 0 22 15 
			 DFP 8 0 2 1P/T 3 0 5 1P/T 
			 DHSSPS 4 0 0 0 3 1P/T 2 1F/T 1P/T 
			 NIO(210) 11 (B2) 0 (211) (211) (211) (211) 18 (Dl) 0 
			 DSD/CSA/SS A 29 12 68 14.5 71 81 26 133 
			 DEL 7 4 3 3 5 0 4.5 1P/T 0.6 
			 DOE 14 0 6 0 14.5 0 32 0 
			 DCAL 0 0 0 0 3 0 2 0 
			 OFMDFM 5 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 
		
	
	(210) In NIO, SO is Grade B2, EOI and EOII are Grade C and AO is Grade Dl.
	(211) Grade C = 16 vacancies 1 surplus.

Civil Service

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many casual workers have been employed by the Northern Ireland Civil Service in each of the last four years.

Angela Smith: The number of NICS casual workers employed in the 11 Northern Ireland Departments and the NIO, including Agencies, at 1 January for each of the past 4 years is as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2003 897 
			 2004 1,076 
			 2005 641 
			 2006 530

Civil Service

Mark Durkan: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many casual workers in the Northern Ireland Civil Service who had been employed for under two years had their employment terminated in each of the last four years.

Angela Smith: The number of NICS casual workers in the 11 Northern Ireland Departments and the NIO, including Agencies, who had been employed for under two years and had their employment terminated in each of the last four years is as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2002 724 
			 2003 880 
			 2004 954 
			 2005 673 
		
	
	For the purpose of this answer, terminated is deemed to refer to the ending of the period of casual employment, regardless of the reason (e.g. end of contract/seasonal work, voluntary resignation, casual services no longer required).
	Figures do not include those casual staff whose employment status was changed to permanent as a result of success in open competition for entry to the NICS.

Civil Service (Travel Expenses)

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to his Answer of 16 March 2006, Official Report, column 2490W, on Civil Service travel expenses, what the travel policy is for members of staff in the (a) Northern Ireland Civil Service and (b) Northern Ireland Office.

Angela Smith: The current policy on official travel by Northern Ireland Civil Servants is set out in Chapter 3 of the Travel and Subsistence Part of the NICS Staff Handbook. This policy is currently under review. The NICS policy applies to Northern Ireland Civil Servants employed in the Northern Ireland Office. Home Civil Servants employed in the Northern Ireland Office are subject to the policy in the Home Civil Service Handbook.
	An electronic copy of the NICS, Travel and Subsistence Part of the Handbook can be found at http://www.nics.gov.uk/pay/handbook/content/travel/index.html.
	A printed copy of the Travel and Subsistence Part of the NICS Staff Handbook is also available from the Library of the House. A copy of the NIO HCS Staff Handbook is available on request.

Classroom Assistants

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many classroom assistants were employed to help children with special educational needs in each education and library board in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: This information is not available from the education and library boards within the time scale. I will place the information in the Library as soon as possible.

Community Sentences (Reoffending)

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what percentage of (a) adult males and (b) adult females in Northern Ireland have reoffended while serving a community sentence in each of the last five years.

David Hanson: The information is not available in the form requested.
	The following table provides statistics for calendar year 2001 for the number and percentage of reconvictions within two years for offenders given a community-based disposal. Reconviction data is not yet available in respect of those convicted after 2001. Further explanation is provided in the footnotes.
	
		Community disposal two-year reconviction rate, 2001
		
			  Number Reconvicted Percentage 
		
		
			 Male
			 Probation Order 491 190 38.7 
			 Community Service Order 420 150 35.7 
			 Combination Order 23 10 43.5 
			 Total 934 350 37.5 
			 
			 Female
			 Probation Order 144 29 20.1 
			 Community Service Order 63 8 12.7 
			 Combination Order 0   
			 Total 207 37 17.9 
			 
			 All
			 Probation Order 635 219 34.5 
			 Community Service Order 483 158 32.7 
			 Combination Order 23 10 43.5 
			 Total 1,141 387 33.9 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are sourced to the Northern Ireland Office and are based on a principal offence/main disposal rule. Thus only where a community-based disposal is the main disposal related to the principal offence tried at a court sitting, will that individual be counted in the table. The base dataset also only reflects the first conviction for an individual in that year, thus the total number of community-based disposals handed out at court in that year may not be represented.
	2. A valid two-year reconviction rate is defined as a conviction, for any offence, within two years from the date of the original (or baseline) disposal in 2001 (i.e. reconvictions between 2001 and 2003). Data beyond 2003 is currently not available.
	3. An adult is defined as being 17 years or older.

Community Sentences (Reoffending)

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of (a) men and (b) women who had been serving community sentences in the last year for which figures are available had breached those sentences and had (i) been permitted to continue to serve those sentences and (ii) had those sentences revoked; and, of those whose sentence was revoked, what percentage were re-sentenced to (A) a non-custodial sentence and (B) a custodial sentence.

David Hanson: The Probation Board for Northern Ireland has advised that information is available centrally from June 2005 onwards regarding the outcome of breaches of community sentences. In the six-month period June to December 2005, 98 breaches initiated by PBNI were dealt with by the courts. Of these, 92 (94 per cent.) were regarding male offenders, the remaining 6 (8 per cent.) were female offenders. On four occasions males were permitted to continue to serve their sentence. In 51 of the 92 occasions (55 per cent.) concerning male offenders resulted in the order being revoked, and 50 per cent. of breaches concerning females resulted in the order being revoked. No information is held centrally concerning further sentencing.

Commuter Car Journeys

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many commuter car journeys are estimated to be undertaken in and out of Belfast on a daily basis; and what percentage is estimated to be driver-only occupancy.

Shaun Woodward: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Gentleman in response to this question.
	Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin, dated 6 April 2006
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding how many commuter car journeys are estimated in and out of Belfast on a daily basis and what percentage is estimated to be driver-only occupancy.
	I have been asked to reply as the issues raised fall within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
	I should explain that while Roads Service holds information on traffic flows at a number of census points strategically located throughout the road network, it does not generally hold estimates of the total number of vehicles coming into and out of Belfast. However, work carried out in 1999 as part of the preparation of the Belfast Metropolitan Transport Plan estimated the daily number of cars travelling into and out of Belfast across an outer cordon, defined by the A55 outer ring road at 297,000 cars. Similarly, the number of cars travelling into and out of Belfast's central core on a daily basis, defined as the area bounded by Westlink in the West of the City and the River Lagan in the South and East, was estimated at 149,000.
	A survey carried out in November 2005 to establish the mode of transport used by people travelling into Belfast's inner cordon during the morning peak hour showed that 68 per cent. of all cars were driver-only occupancy.
	I hope this information is helpful.

Compensation Claims

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was claimed in compensation for injuries caused to pedestrians in Northern Ireland from the Department of Regional Development in each year between 1995 and 2005.

Shaun Woodward: It is not known how much was claimed in compensation for injuries caused to pedestrians in Northern Ireland because that information is not provided by claimants. Also, the IT records of the Department for Regional Development do not distinguish pedestrians from other claimants, eg car passengers. It is believed however, that the vast majority of claimants claiming against the Department for personal injury are pedestrians. It is only possible to answer the question in terms of total compensation paid and, therefore, the following table sets out the total compensation paid by the Department for Regional Development in respect of public liability personal injury claims by members of the public in each financial year since 199596.
	
		
			   
		
		
			 200405 1,760,490 
			 200304 2,142,323 
			 200203 2,504,607 
			 200102 2,326,203 
			 200001 1,822,419 
			 19992000 2,674,217 
			 198999 1.856,823 
			 199798 2,147,192 
			 199697 1,436,091 
			 199596 1,451,575

Compensation Claims

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was claimed in compensation by patients due to maladministration by the NHS in Northern Ireland in each year between 1995 and 2005.

Shaun Woodward: The information is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

Contracts (Voluntary Sector)

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many contracts are let by his Department to voluntary sector organisations; how many of those are let on an annual basis; and how many of those had received finalised contracts for 200607 by 31 March.

Peter Hain: The information is as follows.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Number of contracts let to voluntary sector organisations 5 
			 of which:  
			 How many were let on an annual basis  
			 How many had received finalised contracts for 200607 by 31 March 5

Coolkeeragh Power Station

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total running hours were against anticipated hours for Coolkeeragh Power Station between 1 January 2006 and 24 March 2006.

Angela Smith: Coolkeeragh Power Station operated for 1,359 hours against an anticipated 1,832 hours during the period 1 January 2006 to 24 March 2006.

Criminal Records

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of adult (a) males and (b) females resident in Northern Ireland has a criminal record.

David Hanson: The requested information is not available. Current databases, for example, contain information on persons not normally resident in Northern Ireland or who have subsequently died or left Northern Ireland. It would incur disproportionate cost to obtain the information requested.

Defibrillation

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the merits of developing a Province-wide public access defibrillation scheme.

Shaun Woodward: The effectiveness of public access to defibrillators is currently being assessed through a research project commissioned by the Research and Development Office, on behalf of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (DHSSPS), entitled A study of the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of public access to defibrillation in urban and rural populations in Northern Ireland. This three-year project, which began on 1 January 2004 is due to be completed and evaluated by 31 March 2007. At that point, DHSSPS will be in a better position to make decisions about the merits of developing a province-wide public access defibrillation scheme.

Dental Patients (Compensation Claims)

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was claimed in compensation by patients from the NHS in Northern Ireland where a dentist was involved, in each year between 1995 and 2005.

Shaun Woodward: The information is not available in the form requested and could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

Departmental Job Vacancies

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what criteria are used to determine which departmental job vacancies in Northern Ireland are (a) internally advertised in trawl notices, (b) advertised publicly and (c) appointed via the Central Transfer List.

Angela Smith: The decision may be made to trawl a specific vacancy where the post in question requires specialist skills or aptitudes, which are unlikely to be confined to staff in any one discipline (i.e. General Service, Scientific, IT etc.) within the Northern Ireland Civil Service. It is normal practice to fill job vacancies in the basic recruitment grades by open competition, for example, Administrative Assistant, Administrative Officer, Assistant Scientific Officer, Professional  Technology Officer. Departments reserve the right to fill vacancies above the basic recruitment grades by open competition where the skills/qualifications required are not available in the Northern Ireland Civil Service.
	A Staff Officer Graduate recruitment programme is held annually to recruit and develop good graduates to improve the skills mix within our middle management cadre and to recruit and develop our share of graduates in the marketplace who have the potential to rise to senior management positions within the Service. To comply with recommendations made under the Criminal Justice Review that a more representative workforce could be achieved through increasing the candidate pool, all administrative posts at Grade A (Grade 7) and above, and all legal posts in the Public Prosecution Service are filled through open recruitment.
	Vacancies within the Senior Civil Service are normally filled by open competition. When a Department has a vacancy, the Personnel Division will in the first instance consider the claim of officers on the Central Transfer List irrespective of the Department in which they are working. Priority is given to staff with Welfare Officer ratings 1 and 2. The final decision on whether to offer a particular post to an applicant on the Central Transfer List rests with the Personnel Officer of the Department in which the vacancy has occurred.

Departmental Staff

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many and what proportion of (a) staff and (b) new staff employed in (i) his Department and (ii) each of the agencies for which he has responsibility, were registered as disabled in each of the last three years for which data are available.

Shaun Woodward: With the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005, the requirement to register as disabled was abolished, and information on disability is now provided by staff on a voluntary basis. The following table provides details of the numbers and percentages of staff in the Northern Ireland Office and its agencies declaring a disability from 2003 to 2005. Information on new staff is not available.
	
		
			  2003 2004 2005 
			  Number Percentage Number Percentage Number Percentage 
		
		
			 NIO Core 45 3.9 46 3.8 47 3.7 
			 NI Prison Service 17 4.4 17 4.6 15 3.8 
			 Compensation Agency 6 4.2 6 4.7 6 5.5 
			 Youth Justice Agency 1 9.1 2 3.6 3 4.4 
			 Forensic Science NI 5 3.5 6 3.9 7 4.0 
			 Total 74 4.0 77 4.0 78 3.8 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are based on work force figures for 1 September of each year.
	2. Percentages shown are calculated as a percentage of total work force at that time.

Eating Disorders

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in Northern Ireland are estimated to be suffering from an eating disorder; and what assistance is available to them.

Shaun Woodward: In Northern Ireland, it is estimated that approximately 1,700 people suffer from anorexia nervosa and 17,000 people suffer from bulimia nervosa. Health and Social Services Trusts provide a range of services largely through generic mental health, primary care and acute services, including community-based specialist eating disorder teams within each Board area.

Elderly Population

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people over the age of85 years in Northern Ireland (a) there were at the end of 2005 and (b) there are expected to be at the end of 2015.

Angela Smith: The latest estimate of the Northern Ireland resident population relates to mid-year 2004; for people aged 85 years and over the estimate was 24,000 people.
	At mid-year 2015, the number of people resident in Northern Ireland aged 85 years and over is projected to be 36,300.

Employment

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of likely trends in employment in Northern Ireland in each of the next three years.

Angela Smith: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment does not provide forecasts of labour market trends. However, research commissioned by the department predicts a continuation of the broad trends experienced over the last five years, which have been characterised by growth in private services and a decline in manufacturing.

Employment

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were employed in Northern Ireland's manufacturing industry in each of the last five years (a) in total and (b) in each constituency.

Angela Smith: The most recent estimates of the number of employee jobs at Northern Ireland level are available from the Quarterly Employment Survey. The number of employee jobs in the manufacturing industry in Northern Ireland at December for each of the last five years is shown in table 1.
	Estimates of the number of employee jobs below Northern Ireland level are only available from the Census of Employment on a biennial basis and the most up to date figures relate to September 2003. Estimates of the number of employee jobs in manufacturing at September 2001 and September 2003 for each parliamentary constituency area within Northern Ireland can be found in table 2.
	
		Table 1: number of employee jobs in manufacturing in Northern Ireland 200105 (December of each year)
		
			  Manufacturing jobs 
		
		
			 2001 99,120 
			 2002 95,540 
			 2003 90,760 
			 2004 88,090 
			 2005 86,640 
		
	
	Source:
	Quarterly Employment Survey, DETI
	
		Table 2: number of employee jobs in manufacturing at September 2001 and September 2003 for each parliamentary constituency area
		
			 Parliamentary constituency area September 2001 September 2003 
		
		
			 Belfast East 9,537 7,600 
			 Belfast North 4,377 3,712 
			 Belfast South 2,819 2,557 
			 Belfast West 2,801 2,466 
			 East Antrim 4,883 3,646 
			 East Londonderry 5,276 4,905 
			 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 7,103 7,083 
			 Foyle 6,640 5,765 
			 Lagan Valley 7,322 6,664 
			 Mid-Ulster 6,418 6,876 
			 Newry and Armagh 3,958 4,041 
			 North Antrim 7,201 7,205 
			 North Down 2,399 1,995 
			 South Antrim 6,505 6,218 
			 South Down 3,268 3,408 
			 Strangford 4,624 4,200 
			 Upper Bann 10,494 9,490 
			 West Tyrone 4,561 4,053 
			 Northern Ireland 100,186 91,884 
		
	
	Source:
	Census of Employment, DETI

Employment Statistics

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) males over 65 and (b) females over 60 years of age were in (i) full-time and (b) part-time employment in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: The relevant estimates from the Northern Ireland Labour Force Survey are contained in the following table.
	
		Full-time and part-time employment in NI by age and sex(212)
		
			  Males aged 65 and over Females aged 60 and over 
			  Full-time Part-time Full-time Part-time 
		
		
			 2001 3,000 4,000 4,000 8,000 
			 2002 7,000 6,000 3,000 10,000 
			 2003 5,000 2,000 4,000 9,000 
			 2004 4,000 4,000 4,000 8,000 
			 2005 6,000 5,000 3,000 10,000 
		
	
	(212) Estimates are based on small sample sizes and are therefore subject to a higher than usual degree of sampling variability. They should therefore be treated with caution.
	Source:
	Labour Force Survey, Autumn (SeptemberNovember) quarters.

Ethnic Minorities

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many members of the ethnic minority community in Northern Ireland are employed within (a) the Police Service for Northern Ireland (PSNI) and (b) the PSNI staff support services, broken down by (i) ethnic minority and (ii) rank.

Shaun Woodward: The following tables represent the current monitoring information on race, as at 23 March 2006, that has been gathered through the usual voluntary monitoring.
	
		PSNI officers
		
			  Black Other Chinese Indian Mixed ethnic Pakistan Other Total 
		
		
			 Student Officer1   1 
			 Constable 1 5 1 3 1 7 18 
			 Sergeant  2 2 
			 Total 1 5 1 4 1 9 21 
		
	
	
		PSNI police staffdirect recruit
		
			  Irish Traveller Mixed ethnic Other Total 
		
		
			 Administrative Assistant  1 1 2 
			 Financial Investigator  1  1 
			 Imaging Officer  1  1 
			 SGB2 Day Cleaner 1   1 
			 Total 1 3 1 5 
		
	
	I am advised there are also two civilian staff from an ethnic background, the details of which are held by the Civil Service who maintain monitoring information on these individuals.

Ethnic Minorities

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what steps are being taken to promote recruitment to (a) the Police Service of Northern Ireland, (b) the Public Prosecution Service and (c) the judiciary from ethnic minorities in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: I am advised by the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI), Public Prosecution Service (PPS) and Judicial Appointments Commission, who are responsible for promoting recruitment from ethnic minorities in Northern Ireland within these areas respectively, that they take the following steps:
	Police Service of Northern Ireland
	The PSNI have a number of outreach measures for recruiting people from ethnic minority backgrounds. They include:
	an extensive advertising medium and producing specific articles in specialist magazines aimed at minority ethnic readers;
	the provision of recruitment posters and booklets to over 50 Community Groups;
	attending numerous Career Fairs, educational facilities and community events;
	the use of focus group work to establish how best to develop and encourage applications from ethnic minority communities; and
	the constant reviewing of recruitment processes to ensure that, whilst meeting operational needs, they do not adversely affect those applying for a job with the PSNI.
	Public Prosecution Service
	Open recruitment exercises for legal and some administrative grades within the PPS are managed and delivered by the Northern Ireland Civil Service Recruitment Service (RS) who actively seek, through the use of relevant NI equality legislation, to encourage applications from all under-represented groups and minorities in order to create a truly reflective and balanced workforce.
	The PPS has sought to assist RS throughout this process by advertising such vacancies in local papers of the towns in which new PPS regional offices will be opened. Adverts have also been placed in the three regional daily newspapers and a major national daily. As RS are the NICS recruitment providers with approved equality systems in place, and are acting as the PPS's agent, all other positive advertisement and equality issues are taken forward by them.
	Administrative staff are not always recruited directly by the PPS but are assigned directly via the Northern Ireland Office from other Northern Ireland Departments. As these staff were initially recruited through RS, they were subject to the same equality of opportunity processes as those staff currently being recruited.
	Judiciary
	The Northern Ireland Judicial Appointments Commission has responsibility for recommending candidates for appointment as judges up to the level of High Court Judge to the Lord Chancellor. The Commission is required to engage in a programme of action which is designed to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that appointments to listed judicial offices are such that those holding such offices are reflective of the community in Northern Ireland. The Commission is also required to secure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that a range of persons reflective of the community in Northern Ireland is available for consideration to be appointed as a judge. Appointment is on the basis of merit.

Farm Incomes

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State forNorthern Ireland what the average annual income offarmers was in the Province in each of the last 15 years.

Angela Smith: Net farm income is a standard measure of farm business income in the UK. It represents the return to the farmer and spouse for their manual and managerial labour as well as the return on the tenant type assets of the farm, such as livestock, crops and machinery. The average annual net farm income in Northern Ireland for all types of farms and sizes above 0.5 standard labour requirements, for the most recent 15 years available, is presented in the table.
	
		Average net farm income, all farm types, Northern Ireland 199091 to 200405
		
			  Net farm income () 
		
		
			 199091 5,765 
			 199192 7,378 
			 199293 10,607 
			 199394 10,458 
			 199495 12,351 
			 199596 14,105 
			 199697 9,265 
			 199798 4,915 
			 199899 2,154 
			 19992000 1,141 
			 200001 5,800 
			 200102 8,278 
			 200203 4,499 
			 200304 8,652 
			 200405 9,413

General Practitioner Clinics

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (a) how many attendees at general practitioner clinics there were in Northern Ireland in 200405; and (b) what estimate he has made of that number which could be treated by a suitably qualified nurse or pharmacist.

Shaun Woodward: The information is as follows.
	(a) Information is not available in the format requested. It is possible, however, to estimate from surveys, the total number of persons who had a consultation with a GP at either the GP surgery, in their own home or by telephone. The total number of such consultations and the number per head of NI population are shown in the following table for 200405.
	
		
			 200405 financial year Number 
		
		
			 Estimated total number of GP consultations (million) 7.03 
			 Estimated number of GP consultations per person 4.11 
		
	
	Source:
	Northern Ireland Continuous Household Survey 200405 and 2004 Civilian Mid-year Estimate
	(b) Information on the number of attendees at general practitioner clinics who could be treated by a suitably qualified nurse or pharmacist is not available.

Grammar Schools

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make it his policy to give to parents in Northern Ireland the right to determine by ballot whether selection by academic ability should continue in Northern Ireland's grammar schools.

Angela Smith: Following a lengthy review the Government have decided to end academic selection in Northern Ireland. Under the new arrangements parents will choose a school which best meets the educational needs of their child from a range of schools including those with an academic curricular focus to those with a more vocational focus and specialist schools.

Health Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the Answer of 9 January 2006, Official Report, column 327W, on health services, how much each regional fertility clinic spent on each gonadotropin product in each year.

Shaun Woodward: Health and Social Services Boards in Northern Ireland commission publicly funded fertility treatment for their patients from the Regional Fertility Centre (RFC) in Belfast. The RFC also provides privately funded fertility treatment.
	The RFC has advised that the total cost of gonadotropins issued over the last three years was as follows:
	
		
			 Product 200203 200304 200405 
		
		
			 Puregon 245,056 502,013 452,662 
			 Gonal-F 0 3,148 2,231 
			 Menogon 23,542 1,585 1,298 
			 Menopur 420 14,140 18,015 
			 Total 269,018 520,886 474,206

Health Spending

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress has been made in developing better audit trails for health spending in the Province.

Shaun Woodward: My Department has been developing, over the past few years, a Strategic Resources Framework which demonstrates how funding allocated to the health and social services boards is to be spent in terms of major programmes, key areas of service provision and geographical areas within boards. The report on the 200506 planned spend was the first to be published and I intend to continue and develop this approach.

Heroin Addicts

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many heroin addicts in Northern Ireland have been provided with methadone in each of the last five years; and what the success rate of methadone treatment is in Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: The information is not available as requested.
	Substitute prescribing is the controlled prescribing of opiate medication, such as methadone, to heroin users as part of an overall care plan.
	In April 2004, DHSSPS introduced the Substitute Prescribing monitoring system to record information on persons receiving substitute prescribing treatment for opiate dependence.
	Using the information held in the Substitute Prescribing monitoring system as of 29 March 2006, we are able to provide the following information on persons who reported that heroin was a problem drug:
	
		
			  Number being provided with methadone 
		
		
			 200405 73 
			 200506(213) (to date) (214)108 
		
	
	(213) These data are subject to change as the end of year validation is yet to be completed.
	(214) The 108 persons on methadone in 200506 includes the 73 persons on methadone in 200405.
	Substitute prescribing has been shown to reduce illicit opiate use and the associated harm to the individual, their family, carers and the community. As part of the monitoring system information is being collected on continuing illicit drug use, injecting behaviour and accommodation and employment issues. It is expected a report containing this information gathered over the past two years will be published in the autumn.

Hotel Beds

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many hotel beds were available in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years.

Angela Smith: Figures for the number of available hotel beds in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years, are detailed in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of: 
			 Year end Hotel rooms Hotel bed spaces(215) 
		
		
			 2003 5,837 13,247 
			 2004 5,944 13,523 
			 2005 5,957 13,525 
		
	
	(215) NITB collates statistics with regard to bed spaces as opposed to beds i.e. one double bed equates to two available bed spaces.

House Prices

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average house price was in each district council area in the Province in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: The Valuation and Lands Agency (VLA) maintains a database of house sales which covers the period from mid-2002 to present. Prior to mid-2002 this data was not recorded in a way that permits statistical analysis, except at disproportionate cost.
	The average prices in each district council area, for each year in which data is available are shown in the following table. The hon. Member should note that the averages shown for 2002 are representative of sales in the second half of that year only.
	
		Mean average sale price by district council
		
			  Average price () 
			 Council 2002 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 Antrim 102,812 108,897 107,596 109,116 
			 Ards 116,413 118,041 118,864 119,423 
			 Armagh 86,956 89,255 100,031 103,789 
			 Ballymena 90,536 97,310 107,160 119,118 
			 Ballymoney 71,314 81,221 97,323 113,543 
			 Banbridge 95,431 106,169 105,159 125,696 
			 Belfast 114,436 119,079 118,498 123,453 
			 Carrickfergus 89,614 100,263 104,222 114,813 
			 Castlereagh 121,876 119,650 129,681 149,350 
			 Coleraine 93,171 105,435 121,973 132,238 
			 Cookstown 87,459 89,452 103,740 129,362 
			 Craigavon 77,334 87,102 88,359 98,412 
			 Derry 81,744 87,372 97,424 111,169 
			 Down 108,953 115,414 121,278 124,552 
			 Dungannon and South Tyrone 77,801 85,373 97,135 114,893 
			 Fermanagh 81,954 88,374 99,283 117,471 
			 Larne 82,607 87,260 91,584 93,192 
			 Limavady 76,397 81,966 91,941 104,637 
			 Lisburn 115,469 122,202 125,330 133,155 
			 Magherafelt 84,620 93,742 109,789 110,526 
			 Moyle 90,862 94,750 114,577 115,272 
			 Newry and Mourne 98,197 101,164 108,676 125,718 
			 Newtownabbey 106,034 105,769 104,097 112,005 
			 North Down 137,488 135,517 143,927 209,142 
			 Omagh 81,875 86,358 97,471 108,670 
			 Strabane 65,936 73,098 80,777 86,459 
		
	
	Note:
	2002 average is for sales in the 2nd half of the year only

House Prices

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average house price was in each Westminster constituency in the Province in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: The Valuation and Lands Agency (VLA) maintains a database of house sales, which covers the period from mid-2002 to present. Prior to mid-2002 these data were not recorded in a way that permits statistical analysis, except at disproportionate cost.
	The average prices in each Westminster constituency, for each year in which data are available are shown in the following table. The hon. Member should note that the averages shown for 2002 are representative of sales in the second half of that year only.
	
		Average sales price of houses by Westminster constituency
		
			 Westminster constituency 2002 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 Belfast East 104,25C 111,934 116,343 128,408 
			 Belfast North 79,848 88,420 86,367 94,185 
			 Belfast South 146,399 142,095 147,350 153,419 
			 Belfast West 86,646 88,967 94,243 98,984 
			 East Antrim 95,128 102,014 103,389 109,685 
			 East Londonderry 89,834 98,806 113,813 122,681 
			 Fermanagh and South Tyrone 80,757 87,495 99,470 118,056 
			 Foyle 81,744 87,372 97,424 111,169 
			 Lagan Valley 115,754 122,702 125,952 135,499 
			 Mid Ulster 83,240 90,265 104,718 119,697 
			 Newry and Armagh 88,143 92,764 100,629 111,474 
			 North Antrim 84,254 91,833 105,338 116,795 
			 North Down 133,744 134,936 141,696 176,409 
			 South Antrim 101,626 105,058 106,549 111,686 
			 South Down 106,867 108,301 117,413 129,662 
			 Strangford 118,656 119,409 122,323 119,535 
			 Upper Bann 79,890 89,954 90,613 99,660 
			 West Tyrone 74,705 79,815 90,107 97,188 
		
	
	Note:
	2002 average is for sales in the second half of the year only

Independent Monitoring Commission

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 14 March 2006, Official Report, column 2152W, on the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), whether he has discussed with the IMC the definition it uses of criminality.

Shaun Woodward: At meetings with the Commissioners, the Secretary of State has discussed a range of matters connected with the remit of the Independent Monitoring Commission (IMC), as defined in the Agreement that established the IMC.

Housing

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 21 March 2006, Official Report, column 208W, on housing, how many households this represents in each case; and what percentage of the total number of Housing Executive households this represents in each district.

David Hanson: The information is not available for the period requested. The following table details the numbers of Housing Executive debtors, by district office area for the seven year period 19992005. This includes households who are no longer Housing Executive tenants.
	
		Debtors by NIHE district office area(216)
		
			  March 1999 March 2000 March 2001 March 2002 
			  Total debtors Percentage Total debtors Percentage Total debtors Percentage Total debtors Percentage 
		
		
			  
			 Belfast 1 526 0.4 527 0.4 559 0.5 575 0.5 
			 Belfast 2 767 0.6 730 0.6 852 0.7 879 0.8 
			 Belfast 3 577 0.4 565 0.4 574 0.5 513 0.4 
			 Belfast 4 743 0.6 726 0.6 831 0.7 880 0.8 
			 Belfast 5 764 0.6 759 0.6 918 0.7 905 0.8 
			 Belfast 6 630 0.5 627 0.5 649 0.5 625 0.5 
			 Belfast 7 895 0.7 960 0.7 982 0.8 953 0.8 
			 Total 4,902 3.7 4,894 3.8 5,365 4.4 5,330 4.6 
			  
			 Bangor 637 0.5 656 0.5 772 0.6 826 0.7 
			 N'ards 868 0.6 927 0.7 980 0.8 996 0.9 
			 C'reagh 867 0.6 879 0.7 969 0.8 978 0.8 
			 Lisburn 872 0.6 1,047 0.8 1,112 0.9 1,187 1.0 
			 Lisburn D/F 441 0.3 460 0.4 431 0.4 450 0.4 
			 Down 587 0.4 578 0.4 591 0.5 577 0.5 
			 Total 4,272 3.2 4,547 3.5 4,855 4.0 5,014 4.3 
			  
			 Banbridge 384 0.3 473 0.4 477 0.4 494 0.4 
			 Newry 523 0.4 514 0.4 580 0.5 540 0.5 
			 Armagh 345 0.3 354 0.3 355 0.3 413 0.4 
			 Lur/Brown 434 0.3 455 0.4 528 0.4 491 0.4 
			 P'down 279 0.2 256 0.2 297 0.2 334 0.3 
			 Dungannon 242 0.2 290 0.2 315 0.3 366 0.3 
			 Fermanagh 260 0.2 294 0.2 312 0.3 331 0.3 
			 Total 2,467 1.8 2,636 2.0 2,864 2.3 2,969 2.6 
			  
			 Ballymena 471 0.4 488 0.4 474 0.4 497 0.4 
			 Antrim 667 0.5 695 0.5 645 0.5 650 0.6 
			 N'abbey 1 613 0.5 603 0.5 552 0.4 621 0.5 
			 N'abbey 2 717 0.5 718 0.6 669 0.5 658 0.6 
			 Carrick 619 0.5 631 0.5 545 0.4 490 0.4 
			 Larne 474 0.4 514 0.4 543 0.4 517 0.4 
			 B'castle 142 0.1 148 0.1 125 0.1 125 0.1 
			 B'money 247 0.2 271 0.2 224 0.2 217 0.2 
			 Coleraine 611 0.5 675 0.5 657 0.5 647 0.6 
			 Total 4,561 3.4 4,743 3.7 4,434 3.6 4,422 3.8 
			  
			 Waterloo 516 0.4 538 0.4 587 0.5 522 0.4 
			 Waterside 592 0.4 629 0.5 700 0.6 713 0.6 
			 Collon 413 0.3 400 0.3 486 0.4 522 0.4 
			 Limavady 317 0.2 379 0.3 342 0.3 361 0.3 
			 M'felt 256 0.2 309 0.2 308 0.3 365 0.3 
			 Strabane 393 0.3 494 0.4 489 0.4 546 0.5 
			 Omagh 291 0.2 291 0.2 284 0.2 339 0.3 
			 C'town 248 0.2 248 0.2 229 0.2 214 0.2 
			 Total 3,026 2.3 3,288 2.6 3,425 2.8 3,582 3.1 
			  
			 NI total 19,228 14.3 20,108 15.6 20,943 17.0 21,317 18.3 
			  
			 Housing stock 134,220  128,622  122,875  116,431  
		
	
	
		
			  March 2003 March 2004 March 2005 
			  Total debtors Percentage Total debtors Percentage Total debtors Percentage 
		
		
			 Belfast 1 572 0.5 496 0.5 445 0.5 
			 Belfast 2 894 0.8 790 0.8 713 0.7 
			 Belfast 3 475 0.4 410 0.4 377 0.4 
			 Belfast 4 778 0.7 848 0.8 788 0.8 
			 Belfast 5 897 0.8 870 0.8 847 0.9 
			 Belfast 6 629 0.6 648 0.6 571 0.6 
			 Belfast 7 967 0.9 1,072 1.0 892 0.9 
			 Total 5,212 4.7 5,134 5.0 4,633 4.7 
			
			 Bangor 777 0.7 723 0.7 625 0.6 
			 N'ards 1,005 0.9 958 0.9 792 0.8 
			 C'reagh 940 0.9 968 0.9 948 1.0 
			 Lisburn 1,043 1.0 990 1.0 931 0.9 
			 Lisburn D/F 387 0.4 422 0.4 340 0.3 
			 Down 506 0.5 497 0.5 453 0.5 
			 Total 4,658 4.2 4,558 4.4 4,089 4.2 
			
			 Banbridge 426 0.4 394 0.4 379 0.4 
			 Newry 479 0.4 476 0.5 451 0.5 
			 Armagh 327 0.3 305 0.3 286 0.3 
			 Lur/Brown 447 0.4 461 0.4 466 0.5 
			 P'down 300 0.3 323 0.3 306 0.3 
			 Dungannon 328 0.3 331 0.3 291 0.3 
			 Fermanagh 265 0.2 269 0.3 257 0.3 
			 Total 2,572 2.3 2,559 2.5 2,436 2.5 
			
			 Ballymena 462 0.4 436 0.4 389 0.4 
			 Antrim 495 0.5 492 0.5 429 0.4 
			 N'abbey 1 512 0.5 479 0.5 445 0.5 
			 N'abbey 2 569 0.5 509 0.5 450 0.5 
			 Carrick 413 0.4 416 0.4 372 0.4 
			 Larne 424 0.4 391 0.4 343 0.3 
			 B'castle 117 0.1 126 0.1 113 0.1 
			 B'money 205 0.2 212 0.2 215 0.2 
			 Coleraine 560 0.5 564 0.5 553 0.6 
			 Total 3,757 3.4 3,625 3.5 3,309 3.4 
			
			 Waterloo 458 0.4 400 0.4 320 0.3 
			 Waterside 611 0.6 590 0.6 571 0.6 
			 Collon 493 0.4 503 0.5 446 0.5 
			 Limavady 299 0.3 321 0.3 282 0.3 
			 M'felt 330 0.3 350 0.3 265 0.3 
			 Strabane 426 0.4 421 0.4 403 0.4 
			 Omagh 316 0.3 314 0.3 300 0.3 
			 C'town 151 0.1 182 0.2 166 0.2 
			 Total 3,084 2.8 3,081 3.0 2,753 2.8 
			
			 NI total 19,283 17.6 18,957 18.4 17,220 17.5 
			
			 Housing stock 109,742  102,850  98,287  
		
	
	(216) The figures quoted are at the end of the financial year ie 31 March and include debtors from previous years.

Housing

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer, of 21 March 2006, Official Report, column 208W, on housing, how much and what percentage of the unpaid Housing Executive rent arrears in each district were as a result of deliberate non-payment; and what percentage of the total number of Housing Executive households this represents in each case.

David Hanson: The figures provided in respect of tenant debt include the total annual amounts for tenant rent and rates debt through non-payment, and also public sector housing benefit overpayments, which resulted from the tenants supplying incorrect information for the housing benefit assessment.

Illegal Firearms

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland on how many occasions since 26 September 2005 the Police Service Northern Ireland have been called on to deal with cases of suspected illegal activity involving the use or possession of illegal firearms.

Shaun Woodward: The Chief Constable has advised me that during the time period 26 September 2005 to 28 February 2006 there have been 349 crimes recorded by the police where a firearm has, or is alleged to have been involved in the incident. This figure includes all crime types, from possession of firearm to robbery assisted by the use of a firearm or an alleged firearm. It is not always possible to determine whether a firearm used was illegal, for example if a firearm is not recovered at the scene.

Integrated Education Fund

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  how much has been distributed by the Integrated Education Fund in each year since its inception;
	(2)  if he will list the projects supported by the Integrated Education Fund in each year since its inception.

Angela Smith: The Integrated Education Fund is an independent charitable body and as such, the projects it supports, and how much funding it provides, is entirely the responsibility of the Board of Governors of the fund except where the Department of Education has placed stipulations on funding it has provided.
	The Department has stipulated that the fund must keep l million as a restricted reserve with the purpose of providing interest free loans for capital building works at schools that have been approved by the Department for recurrent grant. In January 2005 the Department provided funding of 1,331.67 for the preparation of a report on the operation of the Club Bank. In March 2006 the Department made a donation of 750,000 for the delivery of an agreed plan to provide enhanced support for transformation, exploring opportunities for collaborative work between schools, and an expansion of its Promoting A Culture of Tolerance (PACT) programme.

Integrated Education Fund

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much the Government has allocated to the Integrated Education Fund in each year since its inception.

Angela Smith: The Department of Education has made the following donations to the Integrated Education Fund since its establishment:
	
		
		
			 Year of grant Amount 
		
		
			 199293 750,000 
			 199495 2,000,000 
			 19992000 750,000 
			 200304 50,000 
			 200405 1,331.67 
			 200506 750,000 
			 Total 4,301,331.67

Intertrade Ireland

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 9 March 2006, Official Report, column 173940W, on Intertrade Ireland, what steps are being taken to ensure that the work force of Intertrade Ireland more closely reflects the community composition of Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The religious make up of InterTrade Ireland (ITI) shows a slight under-representation in employees from the Protestant community when compared to the community balance in the Newry and Mourne area, its primary employment catchment area. Fair participation in employment is dependent on a number of relevant factors, including workplace location. ITI has carried out an Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) on its employment practices and prepared an Article 55 Report and, resulting from this work, is currently considering, in consultation with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, the actions required to attract more job applications from the Protestant community. The InterTrade Ireland Board has approved a number of affirmative action measures.

Knives

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what research has been conducted on a system of licensing for the possession of knives in public places; and if he will make a statement.

David Hanson: It is already an offence to have a knife in public without good reason or lawful authority. We are monitoring closely the consideration being given by the Scottish Executive to the introduction of a system to license the sale of non-domestic knives, and other measures to tackle knife crime in that jurisdiction.

Lignite Mining

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on lignite mining in County Antrim.

Angela Smith: The planning strategy for Rural Northern Ireland refers to mineral reserves and states that
	where there are mineral reserves, e.g. lignite (brown coal) which are considered to be of particular value to the economy and those reserves have been proven to acceptable standards, surface development which would prejudice their exploitation would not be permitted. Policy Areas in respect of such minerals will, where appropriate, be defined in development plans.
	The policy therefore requires the Department of Environment (DOE) to identify policy areas where appropriate, in plans to protect reserves of valuable minerals, i.e. those of particular value to the economy. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) advises DOE of the minerals that are of particular value to the economy. DETI is responsible for issuing and regulating prospecting and extraction licences for all base minerals (including lignite) and petroleum. A company lodging an application for a mining licence or lease will be required to obtain planning and other statutory approvals before consideration is given to the application. Any planning application would be treated on its merits and all environmental implications considered.
	In relation to County Antrim, the North East Area Plan 2002, which was adopted in August 1990, protected an area of lignite reserves between Bally money and Stranocum. The draft Northern Area Plan (NAP) 2016 published on 11 May 2005 proposes to protect a larger area between Ballymoney and Stranocum.
	The Antrim Area Plan 19842001 adopted June 1989 has a protected area of lignite reserves on lands south west of Crumlin. The review of the aforementioned plan within the Antrim, Ballymena and Larne Area (ABL) Plan 2016, which is currently under preparation, will therefore also be required to identify the protected area where appropriate.

Long-term Sick Leave

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people in the NHS in Northern Ireland have been on long-term sick leave in each of the last three years, (a) in total and (b) broken down by grade; and how many were suffering from stress.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is not held centrally and will take some time to collate. I will write to the hon. Member with the information as soon as it is available and place a copy in the Library.

Manufacturing Industry

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the impact of European Union enlargement on Northern Ireland's manufacturing industry.

Angela Smith: The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment (DETI) commissioned a report into the Future of Manufacturing in Northern Ireland. This report was published in March 2006 and highlighted the competitive pressures facing Northern Ireland (NI) manufacturing companies. The report also acknowledged the increased competition from new EU member states, alongside low cost competition from China, India and the Far East. While EU enlargement and globalisation provide increasing opportunities for trade, the enhanced competitive environment has direct implications for future manufacturing employment. In its policy response, DETI highlights that manufacturing will continue to play a vital role in the NI economy. The report highlighted that Government will continue to provide a range of assistance to manufacturing companies, particularly those that are innovative and enterprising.

Medical Equipment

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the most expensive piece of medical equipment is in each hospital in Northern Ireland; and how many continuous hours per day each is in operation.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is not held centrally and will take some time to collate. I will write to the hon. Member with the information as soon as it is available and place a copy in the Library.

Mental Health Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what counselling services are available for those in the Ards and North Down region with mental health difficulties.

Shaun Woodward: A range of counselling services in a range of settings are provided by professionals and the voluntary sector for those with mental health difficulties in Ards and North Down region. These include Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Psychology Services, Community Mental Health Teams, Mental Health Day Hospital services and Addiction services.

Music Therapy

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much funding has been allocated by each health trust in the Province for music therapy services in each of the last three years.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is as follows.
	
		
		
			 Trust 200304 200405 200506 Total 
		
		
			 Homefirst Community Health and Social Services Trust 6,717 7,264 7,380 21,361 
			 Altnagelvin Health and Social Services Trust 9,042 9,105 4,787 22,934 
			 South and East Belfast Health and Social Services Trust 0 1,933 4,401 6,334 
			 North and West Belfast Health and Social Services Trust 39,110 38,394 39,889 117,393 
			 Total 54,869 56,696 56,457 168,022

Music Therapy

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the role of music therapy in treating individuals with autistic spectrum disorders; and if he will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to date has not undertaken an assessment of the role of music therapy in treating individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorders. It has been monitoring carefully what is happening regionally and nationally. The Department will be informed of the findings of the current music therapy projects and will consider these findings in agreeing what future action is required relating to future deployment of music therapists within the HPSS.

Music Therapy

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans there are to develop music therapy services in the Province.

Shaun Woodward: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, at present, has no specific plans to develop music therapy services throughout Northern Ireland. However, the Department is currently monitoring the work that has been taking place through the Northern Ireland Music Therapy Trust and developments UK-wide in relation to music therapy provision and is aware that there is a growing awareness of the need for music therapy services to be integral to health and social service provision. These factors will be taken into consideration when developing future plans for services.

North-South Bodies

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many meetings there were of each of the North-South Bodies in each of the last four years.

Angela Smith: Four of the North/South Implementation Bodies and Tourism Ireland Limited have boards. The number of board meetings held in each of the last four years in each of the bodies is contained in the following table.
	
		
			 Body 2002 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission 7 6 5 7 
			 Food Safety Promotion Board 8 7 8 8 
			 The Trade and Business Development Body 11 10 10 10 
			 Tourism Ireland Limited 8 8 8 8 
			 The North/South Language Body(217) 0 0 1 1 
			 Ulster-Scots Agency 11 7 9 10 
			 Foras na Gaeilge 8 8 8 7 
		
	
	(217) The Agreement between the Government of Ireland and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland establishing Implementation bodies done at Dublin on 8 March 1999 provided that the North/South Language Body shall have a board of 24 members. 16 members have responsibility for the functions of the Body relating to the Irish Language Agency and eight members have responsibility for the functions of the Body relating to the Ulster-Scots Agency. The above figures reflect the numbers of meetings of the full board and, separately, of its two component parts.

North-South Bodies

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland who the members are of each of the North-South Bodies; and how many meetings each member has attended since they were established.

Angela Smith: The information requested is as follows:
	
		Trade and Business Development Body
		
			 Name Date of appointment Number of meetings attended 
		
		
			 Martin Naughton December 1999 61 
			 Barry Fitzimmons December 1999 61 
			 Jackie Harrison December 1999 47 
			 Feargal McCormack December 1999 61 
			 Carl McCann December 1999 32 
			 Inez McCormack December 1999 41 
			 Mary Ainscough December 1999 45 
			 Robbie Smyth December 1999 55 
			 Jack Gilmour December 2002 29 
			 John Fitzgerald December 2002 24 
		
	
	
		Tourism Ireland Limited
		
			 Name Date of appointment Number of meetings attended 
		
		
			 Andrew Coppel December 2000 40 
			 Ann Riordan December 2000 35 
			 Denis Galway December 2000 41 
			 Howard Hastings December 2000 38 
			 Tony Kelly December 2000 38 
			 Felix Mooney December 2000 37 
			 John Power December 2000 39 
			 Charles Sinnott December 2000 41 
			 Alan Clarke September 2001 30 
			 Tom McGrath January 2003 22 
			 Shaun Quinn May 2003 19 
			 Patrick O'Donoghue December 2005 3 
		
	
	
		The North/South Language BodyForas na Gaeilge
		
			 Name Date of appointment Number of meetings attended 
		
		
			 Maighread U- Mhairt-n December 1999 48 
			 Aodan Mac Poil-n December 1999 46 
			 Maolsheachlainn Caollai December 1999 48 
			 Padraig Duibhir December 1999 45 
			 Gordon McCoy December 1999 46 
			 Treasa Ni Ailpin December 1999 45 
			 Liam Corey December 1999 36 
			 Brid Ui Neill December 1999 39 
			 Leachlain Cathain December 1999 45 
			 Anne Craig December 1999 40 
			 Gearoid Mac Siacuis December 1999 37 
			 Gearoid hEara December 2000 32 
			 Mairead Nic Sheagain April 2002 28 
			 Caitr-ona Ni Cheallaigh December 2002 23 
			 Diarmuid Murchu December 2002 25 
		
	
	
		The North/South Language BodyUlster-Scots Agency
		
			 Name Date of appointment Number of meetings attended 
		
		
			 Padraig de Bhal December 1999 47 
			 James Devenney December 1999 49 
			 Linde Lunney December 1999 46 
			 Eddie O'Donnell December 2001 35 
			 Bob Stoker December 2002 10 
			 Alistair Simpson December 2002 23 
			 Ian Adamson September 2003 20 
			 Mark Thompson June 2005 7 
		
	
	
		Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission
		
			 Name Date of appointment Number of meetings attended 
		
		
			 Peter Savage December 1999 34 
			 Jack Allen December 1999 31 
			 Dick Blakiston-Houston December 1999 27 
			 Francis Feely December 1999 23 
			 Pat Griffin December 1999 32 
			 Siobhan Logue December 1999 26 
			 Joseph Martin December 1999 33 
			 Andrew Ward December 1999 32 
			 Tarlagh O'Connor December 2002 19 
			 Jacqui McConville December 2002 17 
		
	
	
		Food Safety Promotion Board
		
			 Name Date of appointment Number of meetings attended 
		
		
			 Bertie Kerr December 1999 45 
			 Don Anderson December 1999 39 
			 Leslie Craig December 1999 43 
			 Carmel Foley December 1999 23 
			 Damien O'Dwyer December 1999 29 
			 Anne Speed December 1999 36 
			 Sean Strain December 1999 26 
			 Charlie Daly December 2002 16 
			 Odran Flynn December 2002 24 
			 Patrick Fottrell December 2002 19 
			 Patrick McColgan December 2002 22 
			 Catherine Murphy December 2002 22

North-South Bodies

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total administrative costs were of eachof the North-South Bodies in each of the last four years.

Angela Smith: The information is as follows.
	
		Annual administration costs of each cross border body
		
			  
			 Body 2002 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission 973,974 l,107,360 1,175,902 1,227,878 
			 Waterways Ireland 6,450,134 9,638,986 10,436,350 10,459,740 
			 The Trade and Business Development Body l,349,746 l,530,941 1,631,431 1,548,282 
			 Special EU Programmes Body 1,122,472 1,284,631 1,237,146 (219) 
			 The North/South Language Body(220) 1,567,353 1,934,202 2,197,867 2,395,716 
			 The Food Safety Promotion Board 749,000 l,236,000 1,357,000 1,440,000 
			 Tourism Ireland Limited 7,400,230 8,608,667 9,297,000 9,671,000 
		
	
	(218) The figures for 2005 are provisional as the accounts are still in preparation.
	(219) The Special EU Programmes Body accounts for 2005 are not yet available.
	(220) The costs quoted for the North/South Language Body for each of these years are based on unaudited accounts.

Operating Theatres

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  how many operations were conducted in each operating theatre in Northern Ireland in each of the last three years;
	(2)  how many hours per week each operating theatre in Northern Ireland was in use in the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: Information on the number of operations conducted in an operating theatre is collected centrally by hospital, and is provided in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of operations carried out 
			 Hospital 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 Altnagelvin area 13,409 14,245 14,626 
			 Antrim 5,903 7,135 7,265 
			 Ards 2,849 2,556 2,272 
			 Belfast City 11,711 11,618 10,593 
			 Belvoir Park NICCO 78 58 59 
			 Causeway Hospital 6,043 5,917 6,260 
			 Craigavon Area 10,909 11,137 10,857 
			 Daisy Hill 7,482 5,832 5,159 
			 Downe 1,542 1,531 1,868 
			 Erne 2,348 2,796 3,141 
			 Lagan Valley 5,214 4,892 4,615 
			 Mater Infirmorum 6,093 6,200 6,474 
			 Mid Ulster 3,846 4,089 3,543 
			 Musgrave Park 5,172 6,813 6,897 
			 RBHSC 4,834 4,435 4,365 
			 Eloyal Maternity 2,007 2,214 2,381 
			 Royal Victoria 18,113 18,944 18,928 
			 South Tyrone 4,577 3,974 4,066 
			 Tyrone County 3,226 3,069 3,017 
			 Ulster 10,444 10,374 10,187 
			 Whiteabbey 2,164 1,773 1,807 
			 Northern Ireland total 127,964 129,602 128,380 
		
	
	Source:
	Departmental Information Return KH08
	Information on the number of hours per week each operating theatre in Northern Ireland was in use is not collected centrally and can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Osteoporosis

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 14 March 2006, Official Report, column 2153W, on osteoporosis, if he will ensure that additional funding for specialist drugs in 200607 and 200708 includes funding for new specialist drugs including teriparatide.

Shaun Woodward: I will be announcing shortly details of my plans for additional funding for specialist drugs in 200607 and 200708. The additional funding will include an amount for the introduction of new drugs, such as teriparatide, as well as other specialist drugs pressures.
	It will be for the Health and Social Services Boards, as commissioners of services, to prioritise how this funding is used, taking into account the competing demands and pressures in their areas and the strategic objectives and priorities of my Department.

Parenting Strategy

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects a parenting strategy for Northern Ireland to be produced.

Shaun Woodward: The Department is currently developing a Family and Parenting Strategy, which will be looking at current intervention and support services focusing on parents needs.
	It is envisaged that the strategy will be ready for consultation by early summer of this year.

Personal Care (Funding)

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate the funding required to provide free personal care for all individuals in the Province who are receiving it.

Shaun Woodward: The latest estimate of the potential cost of introducing free personal care is 45 million, which includes an element for the predicted increase in demand for personal care, based on experience elsewhere.
	An estimate of this nature is of course subject to decisions about the level and scope of any such scheme.

Personal Debt Advice Schemes

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what personal debt advice schemes are available in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The Department of Enterprise Trade and Investment (DETI) has recently completed a tender process for the provision of a free face to face debt advice service across Northern Ireland. This will involve DETI providing direct funding to provide 11 advisers based at offices throughout Northern Ireland and two central training and research posts. A number of community and voluntary agencies will provide free advice in other offices that are not covered by this contract. In addition Consumer Credit Counselling, a registered charity, provides a telephone advice service while several private companies offer free to use advice for consumers and many others provide the service on a professional basis.

Physiotherapy Posts

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many physiotherapy posts were available in each (a) education and library board and (b) health trust in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: Physiotherapists are not employed by Education and Library Boards. The number of physiotherapy posts in each Health Trust is only available centrally for the last three years. This information is presented in the following table.
	
		Physiotherapy posts available within the NI HPSS as at September 200305
		
			  2003 2004 2005 
			 Trust H'count WTE H'count WTE H'count WTE 
		
		
			 Altnagelvin Group HSS Trust 42 38.93 40 37.85 47 44.45 
			 Armagh and Dungannon HSS Trust 34 27.44 34 28.36 36 29.87 
			 Belfast City Hospital HSS Trust 62 55.47 66 59.80 61 53.16 
			 Causeway HSS Trust 39 31.50 41 33.20 43 34.55 
			 Craigavon Area Hospital Group HSS Trust 67 55.57 73 60.64 72 62.26 
			 Down Lisburn HSS Trust 69 55.82 75 65.19 80 67.75 
			 Foyle Community HSS Trust 3 2.83 3 2.83 3 2.64 
			 Green Park Healthcare HSS Trust 68 58.60 81 69.21 77 65.72 
			 Mater Infirmorum Hospital HSS Trust 18 16.58 23 20.59 23 20.45 
			 Newry and Mourne HSS Trust 36 29.43 40 33.67 41 32.56 
			 North and West Belfast HSS Trust 39 23.99 42 27.46 48 33.27 
			 Royal Group of Hospitals HSS Trust 81 71.36 86 74.38 90 80.74 
			 South and East Belfast HSS Trust 39 27.35 46 34.66 42 30.61 
			 Sperrin/Lakeland HSS Trust 35 29.67 31 26.08 38 31.95 
			 Ulster Community and Hospitals Group HSS Trust 81 62.70 89 70.53 83 65.67 
			 United Hospitals Group HSS Trust 94 78.71 100 84.22 110 91.91 
			 Total 807 665.95 870 728.67 894 747.56 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. H' count = headcount
	2. WTE = whole-time equivalent
	3. The number of Physiotherapy posts available is calculated as the number of staff in post as at 30 September plus the number of current vacancies available as at 30 September.
	4. The figure for September 2004 combines staff in post figures as at September 2004 with current vacancy figures as at June 2004.
	5. A current vacancy is an unoccupied post, which at 30 September 2003 (30 June 2004 or 30 September 2005) was vacant and which the organisation was actively trying to fill.
	Sources:
	Staff in post informationHuman Resource Management System
	Current vacancy informationNI HPSS Trusts and Organisations

Physiotherapy Posts

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many physiotherapy graduates there were from higher education establishments in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years; and how many such graduates had not obtained employment in their chosen profession one year after graduating in each year.

Angela Smith: Students gaining qualifications from physiotherapy courses at Northern Ireland higher education institutions, 19992000 to 200405 are as follows:
	
		
			 Academic year Qualifiers 
		
		
			 19992000 56 
			 200001 90 
			 200102 58 
			 200203 63 
			 200304 74 
			 200405 78 
		
	
	Source:
	HESA.
	Figures include students gaining both undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications.
	EU graduates from physiotherapy courses at Northern Ireland higher education institutions and not recorded as employed as physiotherapist six months after graduation, 19992000 to 200304 (overseas students are not included) are as follows:
	
		
			 Academic year Qualifiers not employed as physiotherapists 
		
		
			 19992000 7 
			 200001 8 
			 200102 Fewer than 5 
			 200203 8 
			 200304 8 
		
	
	Source:
	HESA.
	Graduates not employed as physiotherapists include those undertaking further study/training, employed in occupations other than physiotherapy, assumed to be unemployed and those not available for employment/training. Data on the destinations of 200405 leavers is not yet available.

Plastic Bags

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what plans he has to introduce a ban on the use of non-biodegradable plastic bags in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The Department of the Environment plans to start a preliminary Cleaner Neighbourhoods consultation exercise covering a range of local environmental quality issues by the end of May 2006. One of the issues to be addressed in the consultation document is the subject of litter, including plastic bag litter. The consultation will outline a number of options designed to reduce litter, including options to deal with plastic bag litter, and will seek views from consultees on the best way forward.

Police

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many hours of training police recruits in Northern Ireland receive in (a) dealing with ethnic disputes and (b) awareness of ethnic minorities.

Shaun Woodward: Police trainees currently receive approx 9 hours direct training in relation to working with ethnic minority groups. This training varies from people making reports to police and police dealing with victims of crime.
	This aspect, as with all strands of diversity, is core themed throughout the 21 week training programme.
	Police Trainees are assessed in relation to how they deal with ethnic minorities on a pass/fail basis.

Police

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the recent statement by the vice-chairman of the Northern Ireland Policing Board regarding the policy of 50:50 recruitment to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: The temporary 50:50 recruitment measures are being applied as a response to the imperative of achieving a police service in Northern Ireland that is more representative of the community that it serves. Our goal, in line both with the patten report and the comments made by Mr Bradley at the Social Democratic Labour party conference in November 2005, is to achieve a 30 percentage Catholic composition amongst officers by 201011. As we are on target to achieve this goal, these measures will not be applied after this time.
	These provisions are subject to review and possible renewal every three years, next due in March 2007, when the policy will be subject to detailed review, extensive consultation, and debate in both Houses.

Police

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many investigators employed by the police ombudsman have experience in the investigation of terrorist-related crime.

Shaun Woodward: The police ombudsman has advised that of those investigatory staff currently employed by her office, forty-five have experience in the investigation of terrorist-related crime.

Police

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of applications to the police in Northern Ireland in the last two open competitions were (a) Protestant and (b) Roman Catholic; and what percentage from each community were subsequently appointed.

Shaun Woodward: I am advised that the community breakdown of applications for the last two PSNI trainee constable competitions have been as follows:
	
		
			  Percentage 
			 Competition Protestant on application Catholic on application Non-determined 
		
		
			 9 63.48 33.87 2.65 
			 10 59.45 37.07 3.48 
		
	
	The appointment process for both of these competitions is still in the early stages. I am advised, however, that a projected number of 220 applicants from each competition will be recruited under the temporary 50:50 recruitment provisions of which 110 Catholics and 110 non-Catholics will be appointed.

Police

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many full-time police officers in Northern Ireland have (a) retired and (b) been recruited over the past five years.

Shaun Woodward: The number of full-time police officers retired and recruited between 24 March 2001 and 24 March 2006 can be found in the following table:
	
		Number
		
			  Retired Recruited 
		
		
			 Regular Officers 2,569 2,187 
			 Full Time Reserve 1,481 (221) 
		
	
	(221) Recruitment ceased in 1998.

Police

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the outcome was of the research project tasked with ascertaining the justifiable requirements for visual standards for recruits to the Police Service of Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: I am advised that during the original visual task analysis specific concerns were raised by the research team with regard to safety issues and the impact of colour deficiencies on both firearms handling and operational police driving.
	Therefore a further detailed visual risk assessment has been carried out on these police functions which will be reported on shortly by the City of London University researchers. In addition, senior staff from the Royal Victoria hospital have been asked to give specific advice on the practical implications of the findings. With this information, an appropriate risk assessment will then be carried out to ensure the new visual standards at recruitment are sufficient to protect both the public and officers in the performance of their duties.
	An exact timescale for the publication of the researchers' report is not yet known.

Police

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what Mr. Colin Ashe's role is in the Northern Ireland Police Fund; what his key tasks are; and what relevant experience he has.

Shaun Woodward: Mr. Colin Ashe is currently performing the role of acting chief executive of the fund. He is a civil servant with a range of experience which includes policy development, finance, customer support services and project management.

Prisons (Suicides)

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people committed suicide in Northern Ireland prisons while (a) on remand and (b) serving a sentence in the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: In the last five years coroners' court inquests have determined that no sentenced prisoner committed suicide, and that three remand prisoners committed suicide. Coroners' court inquests have still to be held into a further six separate deaths in prison custody which occurred during the last five years.

Public Transport

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average number of daily users of public transport was in each (a) district council area and (b) Westminster constituency in the Province in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: Passenger journey information is not collected on the basis of district council area or Westminster constituency area. Therefore the information is not available.
	The following information gives the average number of public transport journeys per day for the whole of Northern Ireland for the last five years.
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 200102 195,000 
			 200203 198,000 
			 200304 198,000 
			 200405 199,000 
			 200506(222) 204,000 
		
	
	(222) estimate
	Source:
	Translink, figures rounded to the nearest thousand.

Religious Discrimination

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cases of religious discrimination (a) with respect to job applications and (b) while at work have been successfully brought by (i) Roman Catholics and (ii) Protestants in Northern Ireland in each of the last 10 years.

Angela Smith: The industrial tribunals do not collect information on the basis of the religious background of claimants, nor does it keep information about religious discrimination with respect to job applications or while at work. The table below shows the number of cases received, based on a complaint of discrimination on the grounds of religious belief or political opinion, in each of the last 10 years and the numbers where the complaint was upheld by the tribunal. The vast majority of cases are resolved outside of the formal tribunal process and outcomes may be confidential to the parties.
	
		
			  Cases of religious belief/political opinion registered in the year Cases that were successful 
		
		
			 1996 566 8 
			 1997 666 2 
			 1998 559 7 
			 1999 499 2 
			 2000 561 2 
			 2001 268 8 
			 2002 480 5 
			 2003 467 12 
			 2004 479 1 
			 2005 190 3

Restaurant Closures

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many restaurants in Northern Ireland have been closed on health grounds in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: The Food Standards Agency collects data on district council enforcement activities in relation to food hygiene on a yearly basis. Between 2000 and 2003 this information was collected on a calendar year basis however from 1 April 2004 it is being gathered on a financial year basis.
	In relation to the closure of food premises on food hygiene grounds, the data distinguishes between those premises that have been closed by means of formal enforcement action using emergency prohibition procedures and those that have closed voluntarily.
	The number of restaurants and caterers that have been closed formally or have closed voluntarily in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years is as follows:
	
		
			  Number of restaurants formally closed Number of restaurants closed voluntarily 
		
		
			 2000 1 1 
			 2001 1 6 
			 2002 0 3 
			 2003 0 0 
			 200405 1 2 
			 Total 3 12 
		
	
	Data for the period 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006 is not yet available as district councils have until 31 May 2006 to submit returns for this period to the Food Standards Agency.

Sexual Health

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many young people in the Province aged 13 years and under have (a) attended sexual health clinics and (b) subsequently been referred to social services in each of the last five years.

Shaun Woodward: The information is as follows.
	(a) Information on the total number of attendances at sexual health clinics by age is not routinely collected centrally. Information is, however, available on the number of new episodes of selected diagnoses 1 of sexually transmitted infections at Genito-Urinary Medicine clinics each year for those aged under 15. An individual may contribute to more than one diagnosis and/or more than one episode in a year. This information is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of new episodes of selected diagnoses(223) 
		
		
			 2001 6 
			 2002 5 
			 2003 5 
			 2004 7 
			 2005(224) 5 
		
	
	(223) Selected diagnoses include:
	Uncomplicated genital chlamydial infection; Uncomplicated gonorrhoea; Primary and secondary infectious syphilis; Anogenital herpes simplex (first attack) and Anogenital warts (first attack).
	(224) 2005 data are provisional.
	Notes:
	1. Figures are shown for calendar years.
	2. Please note that cell sizes that have a value of less than 5 have been masked in order to help protect confidentiality.
	Source:
	Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre Northern Ireland (CDSC (NI)).
	Additionally the number of HIV antibody tests carried out are available for those aged under 15 and are shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of HIV antibody tests performed(225) 
		
		
			 2001 5 
			 2002 5 
			 2003 12 
			 2004 18 
			 2005(226) 21 
		
	
	(225) Until 1 April 2003 this figure comprised of code P1A only, which was described as HIV antibody counselling with testing. From 1 April 2003 this figure comprises codes P1A (HIV antibody testing (no sexual health screen) and S2 (HIV antibody test and sexual health screen)).
	(226) 2005 data are provisional
	Notes:
	1. Figures are shown for calendar years.
	2. Please note that cell sizes that have a value of less than 5 have been masked in order to help protect confidentiality.
	Source:
	Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre Northern Ireland (CDSC (NI)).
	Information is also available on the number of first attendances at family planning clinics by females aged under 16. The information is shown in the following table, for the calendar years 200104 1 .
	
		
			  Number of first attendances 
		
		
			 2001 678 
			 2002 657 
			 2003 703 
			 2004 611 
		
	
	(227) Information for 2005 is not yet available.
	Note:
	Corresponding information for males is not collected centrally.
	Source:
	Departmental Information Return, KT31.
	(b) The information requested can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Special Educational Needs

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average waiting time is in each education and library board area in Northern Ireland for assessment by an educational psychologist to assess the special educational needs of a child.

Angela Smith: The following table shows the average waiting times for assessment by an educational psychologist as at December 2005, the latest data available. The second column shows the average waiting times for an assessment by pupils at Stage 3 of the Code of Practice for the Identification and Assessment of Special Educational Needs (the Code). It should be noted that there are no statutory time limits for provision of these assessments. Column three shows average waiting times for an assessment by pupils at Stage 4 of the Code. The statutory time limit in this case is 16 weeks.
	
		Weeks
		
			  Average waiting time 
			 Education and library board Stage 3 Stage 4 
		
		
			 Belfast Education and Library Board 5.29 5 
			 North Eastern Education and Library Board 9.6 5 
			 South Eastern Education and Library Board 47.6 3.35 
			 Southern Education and Library Board 26 6 
			 Western Education and Library Board 7.5 5

Special Educational Needs

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many children with special education needs there were in (a) mainstream and (b) special schools in each education and library board area in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: The requested information is as follows:
	
		(a) Pupils with special educational needs in mainstream schools, 200102 to 200506
		
			 Education and Library Board area 2001021, 2 200203(229) 200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 Belfast 3,450 8,529 9,380 9,580 9,926 
			 Western 3,236 8,590 9,308 10,100 10,277 
			 North Eastern 2,193 7,009 7,860 8,691 8,712 
			 South Eastern 3,305 8,562 9,535 9,926 10,097 
			 Southern 3,274 8,609 9,156 9,675 10,081 
			 Northern Ireland total 15,458 41,299 45,239 47,972 49,093 
		
	
	Some of the pupils in the above table were in special units in mainstream schools and the remainder were in mainstream classes. A breakdown is given in the following two tables:
	
		Pupils with special educational needs in special units in mainstream schools, 200102 to 200506
		
			 Education and Library Board area 200102(228) 200203 200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 Belfast 156 169 184 179 166 
			 Western 56 79 74 68 63 
			 North Eastern 327 329 302 296 306 
			 South Eastern 509 542 577 594 631 
			 Southern 718 719 758 766 765 
			 Northern Ireland total 1,766 1,838 1,895 1,903 1,931 
		
	
	
		Pupils with special educational needs in mainstream classes in mainstream schools, 200102 to 200506
		
			 Education and Library Board area 200102(228) 200203 200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 Belfast 3,294 8,360 9,196 9,401 9,760 
			 Western 3,180 8,511 9,234 10,032 10,214 
			 North Eastern 1,866 6,680 7,558 8,395 8,406 
			 South Eastern 2,796 8,020 8,958 9,332 9,466 
			 Southern 2,556 7,890 8,398 8,909 9,316 
			 Northern Ireland total 13,692 39,461 43,344 46,069 47,162 
		
	
	
		(b) Pupils with special educational needs in special schools, 200102 to 200506
		
			 Education and Library Board area 200102 200203 200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 Belfast 1,252 1,440 1,359 1,235 1,248 
			 Western 793 789 800 786 748 
			 North Eastern 981 976 1,000 1,000 1,010 
			 South Eastern 1,311 1,290 1,289 1,257 1,199 
			 Southern 373 384 386 391 394 
			 Northern Ireland total 4,710 4,879 4,834 4,669 4,599 
		
	
	(228) Data was only available for statemented children with special educational needs (SEN) in mainstream primary classes and in special units in primary schools in 200102.
	(229) In one post primary school, data was only available for statemented SEN children in mainstream classes in 200102 and 200203.

Special Educational Needs

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much in additional resources was made available to each education and library board in Northern Ireland to ensure that the provision of the Special Educational Needs and Disability (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 could be met.

Angela Smith: Additional resources made available to each education and library board in Northern Ireland to ensure that the provisions of the Special Educational Needs and Disability (Northern Ireland) Order 2005 could be met in schools are as outlined in the attached Appendix.
	
		Appendix
		
			 000 
			 Board Disabled access Dispute resolution service/information and advice service Awareness training Total 
		
		
			 200506 
			 BELB 1200 101 150 1451 
			 NEELB 1200 101 150 1451 
			 SEELB 1200 101 150 1451 
			 SELB 1200 101 150 1451 
			 WELB 1200 101 150 1451 
			 Total 6000 505 750 7255 
			  
			 200607 
			 BELB 1000 95  1095 
			 NEELB 1000 95  1095 
			 SEELB 1000 95  1095 
			 SELB 1000 95  1095 
			 WELB 1000 95  1095 
			 Total 5000 475  5475 
			  
			 200708 
			 BELB 1000 102  1102 
			 NEELB 1000 102  1102 
			 SEELB 1000 102  1102 
			 SELB 1000 102  1102 
			 WELB 1000 102  1102 
			 Total 5000 510  5510 
			  
			 Total 16000 1490 750 18240

Unused Medications

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the estimated cost of unused medications in Northern Ireland was in the last 12 months.

Shaun Woodward: The information requested is not collected routinely. Extrapolating figures from Great Britain, it is estimated that the cost of unused medicines in Northern Ireland amounts to approximately 2.5 million per year. The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety is pursuing a number of initiatives to reduce waste in drug costs.

Superannuation Liability

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what total amount of employers' normal contributions accruing superannuation liability charge has been accounted for by his Office in each of the last five years for which data are available.

Shaun Woodward: The amount of employers' accruing superannuation liability charges in respect of members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme, within the Northern Ireland Office, excluding its agencies and NDPBs, in the last five years is:
	
		
			  000 
		
		
			 200405(230) 3,644 
			 200304(230) 3,508 
			 200203(230) 3,346 
			 200102 3,085 
			 200001 2,886 
		
	
	(230) From 1 October 2002 new entrants have been able to opt for a partnership pension partnership account, a stakeholder arrangement with an employer contribution. Employers' contributions to partnership pension accounts are not included in the figures.

Television Sets

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many television sets are in operation in the Department (a) in total, (b) in Ministers' private offices and (c) in each building in the Department; and how many television licences are held by the Department.

Peter Hain: The information is as follows.
	(a) A total of 166 television sets are in operation in our offices in Belfast and London
	(b) of which 14 are in Ministers' London and Belfast private offices and
	(c) table as follows shows breakdown by building:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Castle BuildingsBlock B 10 
			 Corn Exchange 2 
			 Hillsborough Castle (231)23 
			 Hillview Buildings 3 
			 Knockview 3 
			 Lagan House 4 
			 Massey House 2 
			 Millbank 28 
			 Millennium House 2 
			 Royston House 2 
			 Stormont House/Annexe/Bungalow 41 
			 Stormont Castle 37 
			 Windsor House 9 
		
	
	(231) Including for guests and offices
	Note:
	5 television licences held.

Transport (Rural Areas)

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what support is given to assist public transport in rural areas of Northern Ireland.

Shaun Woodward: The Department for Regional Development continues to support 19 rural community transport partnerships, which offer a range of transport services for their members that complement conventional public transport networks and which in particular provide transport opportunities for people with reduced mobility in rural areas. These partnerships now cover most of rural Northern Ireland. The Department also provides revenue support to Translink to maintain a network of some 50 rural routes across Northern Ireland that would otherwise be uneconomic to run. Additionally, the Department has also provided support to pilot two new and innovative demand responsive public transport services in rural areas. In total in 200506 DRD spent 2.45 million to support these rural public transport services.

Victims' March (Dublin)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he had with (a) the Government of the Republic of Ireland and (b) the Republic of Ireland police force on the Northern Ireland victims' march in Dublin on 25 February.

Peter Hain: There were no discussions between myself and the Government of the Republic of Ireland or the Republic of Ireland police force in relation to the Love Ulster Rally on 25 February 2006. This was an operational matter that was dealt with between the PSNI and Garda S-ochana.

Vision-impaired Pupils (GCSE results)

Sammy Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many (a) partially-sighted and (b) totally blind pupils left school in Northern Ireland with five or more GCSE grades A to C in the last period for which figures are available.

Angela Smith: Figures for 200405 are not yet available. Out of a total of fifteen children with a statement of special educational needs who were recorded as blind and who left school in the previous three years, five achieved five or more GCSE's at grades A*-C.
	Because of the very small numbers in any one year, it is not appropriate to break the figures down into individual years.
	Out of a total of 86 children with a statement of special educational needs who were recorded as partially sighted and who left school in the same three year period, 26 achieved five or more GCSE's at grades A*-C.

Waiting Times

Peter Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the extent to which the health service in Northern Ireland is meeting recommended waiting times for (a) an initial consultation and (b) operations.

Shaun Woodward: I have set targets this year to ensure that no patient is waiting more than 12 months for in-patient or day case treatment by 31 March, with shorter waiting times for major joint replacement surgery (nine months), cataract surgery (six months), and cardiac surgery (six months). Excellent progress has been made to date and provisional figures indicate that hospitals here are on course to achieve these waiting time targets. I will make an announcement on the achievement of these targets on 3 April 2006.
	With regard to waiting times for an initial consultation, current waiting times are much too long, with one in nine of the population waiting for a first out-patient appointment. I have set a target to ensure that no patient is waiting more than 13 weeks by 31 March 2008 and in January this year I announced a major overhaul of out-patient services to ensure that this target is achieved.

Whitefish Fishing Ban

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will pay transitional aid to those Northern Ireland fishermen affected by the 11 week whitefish fishing ban.

Angela Smith: My colleague Lord Rooker, has carefully reviewed the options, and taking account of questions of affordability, value for money and sustainability, he will not approve payments which last year cost some 800,000 in total and ranged from around 40,000 to 70,000 per vessel for a tie-up period of just under 11 weeks. In the current climate of competing resource pressures, a transitional aid scheme could result in less money for urgent projects like infrastructure improvements at Northern Ireland fishing ports.

World Cup (Complimentary Tickets)

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many complimentary tickets his Department has received for games taking place at the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany.

Peter Hain: My Department has not received any tickets for the FIFA World Cup 2006.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Council Tax

John Hemming: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the 2005 tax base is; and what the 200506 assumed national council tax is.

Phil Woolas: The tax base used in the calculation of the 200506 formula grant was 17,711,318 band D equivalent properties. The assumed national council tax was 1,101.96.

Council Tax

John Hemming: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the 200607 tax base is; and what the 200607 implicit national council tax is.

Phil Woolas: The council tax base used in the 200607 formula grant settlement was 17,979,549 band D equivalent properties. In distributing formula grant, we do not make assumptions about the amount that authorities should spend on services neither do we make assumptions about the average level of council tax.

Council Tax

John Hemming: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assumptions of the rate of inflation are being used in calculating increases in the assumed value for council tax; whether the change between the 200506 assumed national council tax and the 200607 implicit national council tax is estimated to be more or less than the forecast rate of inflation; and if he will take steps to ensure that policy assumptions are not made that council tax rises will rise at a rate higher than inflation.

Phil Woolas: In distributing formula grant, we did not make an assumption about the level of national council tax in 200607. Council tax levels are set by local authorities themselves; they are not set by central Government.

Council Tax

John Hemming: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what criteria are used to determine whether council tax increases by individual authorities trigger capping; and whether there is an absolute figure above which a council tax increase is deemed too high.

Phil Woolas: I announced in my statement to the House on 27 March 2006, Official Report, columns 56769, about council tax that the principles determined by my right hon. Friend, the Deputy Prime Minister, as Secretary of State, were that authorities' 200607 budget requirements were excessive:
	if they showed an increase of more than 6 per cent. compared with 200506; and
	if their council tax had increased by more than 5 per cent. in the same period.
	As was the case in 200506, a single set of principles was applied to all authorities.

Coventry City Council (Planning)

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) successful and (b) unsuccessful appeals have been made against planning decisions made by Coventry City Council in each year since 1997.

Yvette Cooper: The following table shows the number of planning appeals relating to Coventry City Council (a) successful (allowed) and (b) unsuccessful (dismissed) and the total number of appeals decided in each calendar year from 2000. Unfortunately in this instance reliable data can only be provided from 2000 onwards.
	
		
			  (a)Number of appeals allowed ( b) Number of appeals dismissed Number of appeals decided 
		
		
			 2000 12 23 35 
			 2001 10 16 26 
			 2002 3 19 22 
			 2003 17 21 38 
			 2004 17 23 40 
			 2005 28 37 65

Development (Runnymede)

Philip Hammond: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the ability of the borough of Runnymede to absorb new development (a) after the implementation of the Thames Basin Heaths special protection area and (b) while respecting existing metropolitan green belt and flood plain designations.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 30 March 2006
	The distribution of new development between local authorities is a matter for the South East England regional assembly to consider in the context of the regional spatial strategy for the south east. In preparing that strategy, the assembly are required to have regard to national planning policies, including those set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 2 (PPG2) on green belts and PPG25 on development and flood risk. They will also have to take full account of the statutory protection provided to both national and international wildlife sites, including Thames Basin Heaths special protection area.

Energy Audits

Keith Vaz: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether his Department plans to give local planning authorities the powers to require that an energy audit should be submitted with major planning applications.

Yvette Cooper: Local planning authorities have powers under the Town and Country Planning (Applications) Regulations 1988 to require additional information the authority considers necessary for the proper determination of a planning application.
	Local planning authorities are encouraged in Planning Policy Statement 1, Delivering Sustainable Development to adopt policies in their development plan documents in respect of energy-saving and the use of renewable energy. Such policies could then be a material consideration when decisions on individual planning applications are being made.

Energy Audits

Keith Vaz: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what plans his Department has to introduce energy use as a factor for local planning authorities to consider when determining planning applications.

Yvette Cooper: National planning policy set out in Planning Policy Statement 1 (PPS1) expects the development plans prepared by regional planning bodies and local planning authorities to contribute to global sustainability through policies which reduce energy use, reduce emissions (for example, by encouraging patterns of development which reduce the need to travel by private car, or reduce the impact of moving freight) and promote the development of renewable energy resources. In doing so, planning policies are expected to avoid replicating, cutting across, or detrimentally affecting matters within the scope of other legislative requirements, such as those set out in Building Regulations for energy efficiency.
	The Department also intends to draw up a new planning policy statement on climate change.

Euro

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if hewill place in the Library a copy of his Department's Communications plan for the introduction of the euro.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 10 March 2006, Official Report, column 1834W.
	The Communications plan to which the hon. Member refers was contained within the Euro Conversion (High Level Plan) made available in the Library of the House by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on 10 March 2006.

Euro

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which Minister in his Department is responsible for policy relating to the introduction of the euro.

Jim Fitzpatrick: I am the Minister responsible for policy relating to the introduction of the euro in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Euro

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister on how many occasions his Department's working group on the changeover to the euro met in 2005.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's working group on the changeover to the euro did not meet during 2005.

Euro

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will place in the Library a copy of the W.S. Atkins report on the compatibility of IT systems in his Department with the introduction of the euro; and how much the report cost.

Jim Fitzpatrick: A copy of the W.S. Atkins report on compatibility of IT systems within the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has been made available in the Library of the House. The cost of this report was 31,000.

Euro

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the 30 volunteer local authorities his Department worked with to develop detailed euro changeover plans.

Jim Fitzpatrick: While the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has worked with some local authorities to develop their euro changeover plans, HM Treasury, who take the lead in co-ordinating appropriate euro preparations across the economy, have worked with a larger number. The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister worked with those authorities on a confidential basis.

Fire Service Inspectorate

David Drew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) inspectors and (b) assistant inspectors were employed in Her Majesty's Fire Service Inspectorate to advise upon technical fire safety issues in each year since 1997.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The following shows the number of Inspectors and Assistant Inspectors employed yearly since 1997. The figures for Assistant Inspectors include Crown Premises Inspection Group personnel.
	
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 
		
		
			 HM Inspectors 10 11 9 8 7 5 5 5 3 1 
			 Assistant Inspectors 23 ((232)20) 21 ((232)18) 20 ((232)17) 18 ((232)15) 17 ((232)14) 15 ((232)12) 18 ((232)15) 12 ((232)9) 11 ((232)9) 9 ((232)9) 
		
	
	1 Denotes Crown Premises Inspection Group

Home Information Packs

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the estimated cost is of training estate agents, lawyers and lenders in the implementation of home information packs.

Yvette Cooper: This is a matter for industry. The extent of training required will depend on what role individual advisers and businesses expect to play in the new market from 1 June 2007, and on their current state of readiness.

Home Information Packs

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the effect on the market of the implementation of home information packs; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: A detailed market study was carried out in January 2005 which revealed a high degree of dissatisfaction with the present system. We are planning to undertake further research in two phases, in June 2006 and then further analysis 18 or 24 months after implementation.

Home Ownership

Edward Balls: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what proportion of families in (a) the Wakefield district and (b) Normanton constituency own their own homes.

Yvette Cooper: 2001 Census data shows that 65 per cent. of households in the Wakefield district, and 73 per cent. of households in the Normanton constituency own their own homes.

Homelessness

Vincent Cable: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whatassessment he has made of the implications for his Department's work on reducing homelessness of thedecision by the Legal Services Commission to withdraw funding for specialised support and advice on housing.

Yvette Cooper: This is a matter for the Minister of State for the Department for Constitutional Affairs. I understand that the decision to withdraw funding has now been revoked.

Housing

Edward Balls: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many units of shared equity housing there are in (a) Wakefield district and (b) Normanton constituency; and what share the purchasers receive of these houses.

Yvette Cooper: Information on the numbers of shared equity units by local authority district is available from Part O of the Regulatory and Statistical Return of the Housing Corporations. This information is published at the following address:
	http://wwwrsrsurvey.co.uk/index.cfm?task=statsexpandID=122expandlist=66.
	According to this information there were 279 units of shared ownership, leasehold housing for older people and other leasehold homes where the purchaser had not acquired 100 per cent. of the equity, in Wakefield district on 31 March 2005. These data are not published for parliamentary constituencies.
	Information on the share the purchasers have of these houses is not held centrally, and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Housing

Charles Hendry: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what information he has received about plans by owners of sheltered and residential housing schemes to sell off wardens' flats; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: We have received no information about such plans.
	Advances in technology mean that some sheltered schemes are ran without resident wardens.
	The Housing Corporation has not heard of any wardens' flats being sold off and if schemes were grant funded, the registered social landlord would need the Housing Corporation's consent.

Housing

John Hemming: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which local authorities that are subject to an inquiry into affordable housing have approved an affordable housing retirement village to be built in partnership with a registered social landlord and the private sector without Housing Corporation funding.

Yvette Cooper: The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not hold information on individual schemes which are being considered by local authorities.
	I have asked officials in Government Office West Midlands to investigate with Birmingham city council its approach to the sale of housing land, and the implications of this for the provision of affordable housing and wider neighbourhood regeneration in the City in the long term.

Housing

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many of the new social rented homes promised in the Spending Review 2004 will be built or acquired as a result of (a) the National Affordable Housing Programmes in 2004 to 2006 and 2006 to 2008, (b) the private finance initiative and (c) Section 106 agreements.

Yvette Cooper: We estimate around 67,000 social rented homes will be provided through the Housing Corporation's Affordable Housing Programme over the three years, 200508. In addition, some 1,200 will be provided through the Private Finance Initiative and 4,000 through Section 106 agreements without grant funding over the same time scale.

Housing

Edward Balls: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many units of social housing have been made available in (a) Wakefield district and (b) Normanton constituency since 1980; and how many are planned for the next five years.

Yvette Cooper: For the number of social housing units made available I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given on 21 March 2006, Official Report, column 279W. Provisionally 35 social rented homes were provided through the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme in 200506 in Wakefield. The Housing Corporation's Affordable Housing Programme for 200608 is currently allocating resources to Wakefield to provide 150 social rented homes. Not all of these will be completed in the two year time frame.
	Planned annual housing requirements are developed as part the Regional Spatial Strategies. The Government have set a target of providing 75,000 social rented homes, through a mix of new build and purchase, from 200405 to 200708. Future delivery of social housing after 200708 will be dependent on the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review 2007.

Housing

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many (a) social rented homes and (b) shared ownership homes were built with Transitional Local Authority Social Housing Grant in 200405; and what his latest estimate is of the number of completions in 200506.

Yvette Cooper: In 200405 a total of 3187 homes were provided through Transitional Local Authority Social Housing Grant (TLASHG) for social rent and 508 for shared ownership
	Provisional figures indicate that there will be around 2,500 homes provided for social rent and 400 for shared ownership through TLASHG in 200506.

Licensing (Carlisle)

Eric Martlew: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many licences for the sale of alcohol over 24 hours have been granted in Carlisle in the last 12 months.

Phil Woolas: There have been six 24 hour licences granted in Carlisle in the last 12 months; three to nightclubs, two to superstores and one to a hotel.

Lancashire Fire Service

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the average time taken by the Lancashire Fire Service to arrive on the scene of an incident in response to a 999 call has been in each of the last 12 months.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The available information covers attendance at primary fires only. 2004 is the latest year for which finalised data are published.
	The following table shows the average response time to primary fires attended by Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service each month during 2004. This is measured in minutes from time of first call to the fire and rescue service to time of arrival at the scene.
	
		Primary fires attended by Lancashire FRS: Average response times, 2004
		
			  Response time (minutes) 
		
		
			 January 6.7 
			 February 6.7 
			 March 6.4 
			 April 6.6 
			 May 6.6 
			 June 6.6 
			 July 6.7 
			 August 6.6 
			 September 6.6 
			 October 6.5 
			 November 6.8 
			 December 6.5 
			 2004 6.6 
		
	
	Note:
	Data excludes late calls, heat and smoke damage only incidents.
	Source:
	Fire and Rescue Service FDR1 returns to ODPM.

Local Authority Staff

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the change in the whole-time equivalent number of staff, including education staff, employed by (a) local authorities in England and (b) City of York council has been in (i) absolute and (ii) percentage terms since April 2003.

Phil Woolas: ODPM does not collect this information. Some overall information may be available from the Local Government Employer's (LGE) organisation, and specific local authority information from the authority in question.

Local Authority Staff

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much was spent by (a) local authorities in England and (b) City of York council on employing staff, including education staff, in (i) 200203 and (ii) the latest year for which figures are available; and what the change in expenditure on staff has been (A) at constant prices and (B) as a percentage of 200203 expenditure.

Phil Woolas: The requested information is tabled as follows:
	
		Employee expenditure(232)
		
			  200203 ( billion) 200405 ( billion) Change between 200203 and 200405(233) 
			 billion Percentage 
		
		
			 Actual prices 
			 England 44.345 52.940 8.596 19.4 
			 York 0.106 0.133 0.027 25.5 
			  
			 Constant prices3 
			 England 46.507 52.940 6.433 13.8 
			 York 0.111 0.133 0.022 19.7 
		
	
	(232) Total expenditure on employees as reported by authorities to ODPM on Revenue Outturn (RO) forms. This includes all direct and indirect employee expenses and contributions to employee-related provisions, including national insurance contributions, pensions and employee related expenses.
	(233) Comparisons across years may not be valid due to changes in the method of reporting the information. In particular, the outturn data for 200203 have been calculated on a non-FRS (financial reporting standard) 17 basis while the outturn data for 200405 have been calculated on an FRS 17 basis. Hence, figures for the different years may not be directly comparable.
	(234) The 200203 prices have been re-valued at 200405 prices using the latest ONS/HMT GDP deflators.
	Note:
	All data are as published in Local Government Financial Statistics or in National Statistics Releases as available from http://www.local.odpm.gov.uk/finance/stats/index.htm.

Local Government Finance

John Hemming: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the adjusted amended national figure is for the formula spending share with resource equalisation for 200506; what the adjusted amended central Government grant is for 200506; and what the assumed council tax yield is for that year.

Phil Woolas: The total adjusted amended formula spending shares with additional resource equalisation for 200506 is 40,893,348,986.
	The adjusted amended formula grant for 200506 is 24,091,464,439.
	The assumed national council tax yield is the difference between the adjusted amended formula spending shares excluding additional resource equalisation (39,713,577,986) and the adjusted amended total of revenue support grant and redistributed business rates (20,196,455,148) i.e. 19,517,122,838.

Local Government Finance

John Hemming: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the national figure is for the formula spending share 200607; what the central Government grant (excluding the police grant) is for 200607; and what the 200607 assumed council tax yield is.

Phil Woolas: Formula spending shares were not used in the calculation of the 200607 formula grant. Nor did we make an assessment of assumed council tax yield.
	The amount of formula grant excluding principal formula police grant is 20,878,123,134 for 200607.

Local Government Pension Scheme

Michael Weir: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the European Commission on the rule of 85 in the Local Government pension scheme.

Phil Woolas: Where appropriate, contacts on matters regarding the Local Government Pension Scheme in England and Wales are maintained through the United Kingdom Permanent Representation to the European Union (UKREP).

Local Government Pension Scheme

Michael Weir: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what advice he has received from the European Commission on the legality of the rule of 85 in the Local Government pension scheme.

Phil Woolas: None. The Government relies on its own legal advice.

Local Government Services

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment his Department has made of the potential effect of a local government strike on the provision of local services.

Phil Woolas: The industrial action which took place on 28 March 2006 is a matter between the trades unions and the employers. Its effects are being assessed as information becomes available.

Local Government Wages

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister pursuant to the answer of 9 March 2006, Official Report, column 1753W, on local government wages, what additional payments central Government has made to local authorities to compensate for their extra costs as a result of the increase in the employer rate of national insurance.

Phil Woolas: The Government took into account the pressures on local authorities, including the changes in national insurance contributions, and the extent to which those pressures can be mitigated, in setting its spending plans for local authorities. The Government have provided an increase on Government grant of 2.7 billion (4.5 per cent.) and 3.1 billion (5 per cent.) in 200607 and 200708 which will enable authorities to continue to provide effective local services without imposing excessive council tax increases.

Parish Precepts

Eric Pickles: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what measures he has in place to regulate the level of parish precepts on council tax.

Phil Woolas: We expect town and parish councils to budget prudently and believe they should take into account the views of local people on how their money should be spent. Under current legislation there is no provision for capping parishes or issuing statutory guidance to them on their budgets. There are no current plans to amend the legislation, but we will keep the situation under review.

Planning

Anne Main: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what guidance his Department issues to local authorities on dealing with multiple planning applications for the same site; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: Local planning authorities' power to turn away repeat planning applications was increased with effect from the 24 August 2005. Until then, a valid application could be turned away only if the applicant had, within the previous two years, had two substantially similar proposals called in and refused, or dismissed at appeal.
	Now, authorities can decline to determine an application which is similar to one which has been subject to two previous refusals by the local planning authority in the preceding two years, even where there has been no appeal to the Secretary of State.
	Relevant guidance is in ODPM Circular 8 of 2005, Guidance on Changes to the Development Control System, which is on the website www.odpm.gov.uk.

Right To Buy

Clive Betts: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the (a) capital receipts from right to buy sales and (b) total value of right to buy discounts was in each Government office region in 200506.

Yvette Cooper: Figures for the right to buy capital receipts and discounts in each year since 199899 by local authority area and Government office region can be found on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/pub/383/Table648Excel545Kb_id1156383.xls.

Right To Buy

Clive Betts: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total value was of the right to buy discounts in each Government office region in 200405.

Yvette Cooper: Figures for the right-to-buy discounts in each year since 199899 by local authority area and Government office region can be found on the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister's website: http://www.odpm.gov.uk/pub/383/Table648Excel545Kb_id1156383.xls.

Second Homes (Cornwall)

Julia Goldsworthy: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what research he has commissioned into the effects of second home ownership on rural communities in Cornwall; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The Government have established the Affordable Rural Housing Commission to consider the evidence and reach a consensus on the relevant issues around affordable housing needs in rural areas, in the context of sustainable rural communities, and to provide recommendations for practical solutions across private, government and voluntary sectors, taking account of existing good practice.
	Evidence has been taken by the Commission from partners in Cornwall and across the country and it will report in the spring. The Government will then carefully consider the Commission's recommendations, including any relating to policies on second home ownership.

Sir David Garrard/Mr. Andrew Rosenfeld

David Jones: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he has met (a) Sir David Garrard and (b) Mr. Andrew Rosenfeld in his official capacity during the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: My right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister has not met (a) Sir David Garrard or (b) Mr. Andrew Rosenfeld in his official capacity during the past 12 months.

Social Renting

David Laws: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many houses for social rent including council houses have been built in each of the last five years; what estimate he has made of the number which will be built over the next three years; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: For the number of social housing units made available I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 21 March 2006, Official Report, column 279W. Information on the number of social housing units built is more limited.
	Planned annual housing requirements are developed as part the Regional Spatial Strategies. The Government have set a target of providing 75,000 social rented homes, through a mix of new build and purchase, from 200405 to 200708. Of these we estimate around 3,000 will be provided through local authorities and at least 60,000 through Registered Social Landlords. In addition housing will be provided under the Private Finance Initiative and by planning gain.

Tenancy Deposit Scheme

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when he expects to implement the Tenancy Deposit Scheme.

Yvette Cooper: Tenancy deposit protection is scheduled to commence in England and Wales on 1 October 2006. There will be two types of scheme: a single custodial scheme (where deposits are paid into and held in a separate account); and one or more insurance-based schemes (where the landlord or agent retains the deposit and any failure on their part to repay it to the tenant is covered by the scheme's insurance arrangements). Each scheme will offer an alternative dispute resolution service. Both types of scheme will apply only to assured shorthold tenancies where a deposit is taken.

Tenant Empowerment Programmes

John Hemming: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the budget for the (a) National Programme of Training for Residents, (b) Tenant Empowerment Programme and (c) Tenant Empowerment Grant was in each year since 200304; how much has been allocated for 200607 in each case; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: The budget for (a) the National Programme of Training for Residents in 200304 was 757,235; for 200405 it was 517,260; for 200506 it is 399,874 and for 200607 162,368 has been allocated.
	The total budget for (b) the National Training and Conferences Programme (including the National Programme of Training for Residents) for 200304 was 1,611,438; for 200405 it was 1,422,584; for 200506 it is 939,783 and for 200607 the budget is 679,996.
	The Tenant Empowerment Grant budget (c) for 200304 was 4,600,000; for 200405 it was 4,100,000; for 200506 it is 3,600,000 and for 200607, 2,640,000.
	A large part of the reduction at the end of the current financial year is being taken up by the completion of the five-year Innovation into Action (IiA) programme the budget for which was 940,000 for 200506.
	The Office further secures tenant empowerment through mainstream programmes offering tenants the opportunity to become much more involved in making decisions about the management and ownership of their homes, through the decent homes option appraisal process, and through the implementation of the chosen decent homes option such as arms length management organisations and housing transfer housing associations There is a dedicated programme of 400,000 in the 200607 Tenant Empowerment programme to facilitate tenants exploring tenant-led ownership as part of the delivery of decent homes. Tyler-CLT User Conference

Tenant Empowerment Programmes

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether representatives from his Department will attend the 2006 Tyler-CLT User Conference in Utah, USA in April.

Jim Fitzpatrick: No.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Afghanistan

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the administration of humanitarian aid in Afghanistan.

Hilary Benn: Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Sweden and the UK recently undertook an Evaluation of their Humanitarian and Reconstruction assistance to Afghanistan between 2001 and 2005. The evaluation found that the humanitarian assistance provided, when combined with internal Afghan political stabilisation and economic recovery, had been successful in responding to the humanitarian challenge. The evaluation assesses the main implementing bodies on performance. The UN agencies, who were responsible for a large percentage of the humanitarian assistance provided by the UK, were judged in a positive light. The evaluation did find, however, that this aid had come at a high cost because of security and logistical constraints, and that for the same reasons had been unevenly distributed between the regions and communities of Afghanistan.

Afghanistan

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of progress towards the post-conflict reconstruction of Afghanistan.

Hilary Benn: Despite a legacy of more than 20 years of conflict, Afghanistan has made rapid progress over the last four years. A new constitution has been established, and a democratically President and Parliament has been elected. The Government is strongly committed to working with the international community to achieve development progress. Economic growth has been good, and for 200506 is forecast to be over 13 per cent. There are now 60 per cent. more functioning health clinics, nearly two thousand schools have been built or rehabilitated and 60,000 former combatants have been disarmed.
	However, while progress is encouraging, Afghanistan is still one of the world's poorest countries. It is off track on all of the Millennium Development Goals. The political consensus is unstable, with continued insurgency in parts of the country. Reconstruction will take quite some time. Limited capacity within Government institutions is a significant challenge, as is the opium economy, which threatens to undermine progress on all fronts, including on development.

Afghanistan

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his assessment is of the effectiveness of policies to control the opium trade in Afghanistan.

Hilary Benn: The effectiveness of policies to control drug production in Afghanistan will only be shown if Afghanistan can achieve reductions in poppy cultivation which can be sustained over the long-term. The updated Afghan National Drug Control Strategy launched at the London Conference on 31 January/1 February 2006, acknowledged that sustainable drug elimination will take many years. The updated strategy sets out the Afghan Government's counter-narcotics policies for the coming three years and highlights priorities where activity is likely to make the greatest impact in the short-term. These are (i) targeting the trafficker and trade; (ii) strengthening and diversifying legal livelihoods; (iii) developing effective counter-narcotics institutions; and (iv) reducing the demand for drugs. DFID believes this is the right approach and is committed to helping the Afghan Government rid Afghanistan of the drugs trade over the long-term through the social and economic development of the country.
	Progress has been made, but it is fragile. There was a significant drop in cultivation in 2005, but early indications suggest that the total area under cultivation in 2006 has increased. This demonstrates that eradication will take time, and alternative livelihoods remain a central part of sustainable eradication.
	In 2005, the area under cultivation fell 21 per cent. (from 131,000 hectares to 104,000 hectares). There were also more seizures (around 160 tonnes of opiates seized since January 2004) 90 convictions by the Criminal Justice Task Force, 247 more cases under investigation, a new counter- narcotics law passed in December and progress on developing alternative livelihoods.
	However, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Opium Rapid Assessment Survey for 2006 carried out over January and February, suggests there may be an increase in the overall levels of opium poppy cultivation in Afghanistan in 2006, compared with 2005. Although this is only an estimatewe will not know final cultivation figures until the UNODC produce those figures later in the year 2006it does give cause for concern; but it does not mean policies are failing. The headline figures produced by the Rapid Assessment Survey mask significant progress, particularly in provinces where we saw significant reductions last year. For the first time since the Taliban ban in 2000, reductions will be sustained in a number of areas, particularly around provincial capitals, where a more effective Afghan state appears to be driving cultivation into the less accessible peripheral areas.

Afghanistan

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on aid policy to Afghanistan.

Hilary Benn: The Government of Afghanistan's Interim National Development Strategy provides the foundation for DFID's activity in Afghanistan. Under the 10-year Development Partnership Arrangement the Prime Minister signed with President Karzai at the London Conference, we will provide 330 million of development assistance over the next 3 years, as part of the overall UK pledge of 500 million, to reduce poverty, improve security and governance, and tackle the opium industry.
	DFID Afghanistan's programme concentrates on three areas:
	state-building, to address the weaknesses in state institutions and to help ensure that sustainable development can be financed and delivered;
	economic management and aid effectiveness, to strengthen the public finance system and support the development and implementation of a National Development Strategy;
	alternative livelihoods, to help reduce dependence on the opium economy and to stimulate rural economic growth.
	Progress in these three areas is essential to ensuring that long term development can happen.

Aid Expenditure

David Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what percentage of the UK's gross domestic product was given to foreign aid and development in the 200405 financial year; and what the total monetary figure was.

Hilary Benn: UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) as a proportion of Gross National Income (GNI) is reported annually on a calendar year basis in line with international reporting conventions. The UK's ODA as a proportion of GNI for 2004 was 0.36 per cent. and the provisional figure for 2005 is 0.48 per cent. The UK's total ODA in 2004 was 4,302 million and the provisional figure for 2005 is 5,916 million.

Avian Influenza

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to the answer of 21 March 2006, Official Report, column 184W, on avian influenza, what information he has on the availability per capita of anti-viral drugs in (a) Nigeria, (b) Niger and (c) Cameroon.

Gareth Thomas: In Nigeria, there are 10,000 doses of the anti-viral Tamiflu. DFID has made funds available to the World Health Organisation (WHO) for a further 5,000 doses of Tamiflu. This is the first step in developing a contingency response to the outbreak of avian influenza in Nigeria. DFID's assistance is part of the 550,000 grant that has been given to the World Health Organisation and builds on the 15,000 personal protection kits that we have provided for distribution to front-line workers and those involved in surveillance of the disease.
	As stated in my answer of 21 March 2006, Official Report, column 184W, DFID does not have major programmes in Niger or Cameroon and our direct access to information on anti-viral drugs is therefore limited. The WHO has reported that it is stockpiling sufficient anti-viral drugs for three million treatment courses, which will be reserved for use in the first areas affected by an emerging pandemic virus.

Avian Influenza

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contribution the Government have made to (a) the World Bank and (b) other international efforts to combat the global impact of the H5N1 virus.

Gareth Thomas: At the International Pledging Conference on Avian and Human Pandemic Influenza, held in Beijing in January, DFID pledged 20 million over the next three years to multilateral organisations. We await clarification from the World Bank of outstanding multilateral priorities in the light of other donor pledges before deciding how the 20 million will be spent.
	DFID is also considering support from our bilateral programme for individual countries, while other parts of the UK Government are offering technical support in their areas of expertise.
	The UK Government are supporting the work of the UN System Influenza Co-ordinator and international organisations, including the World Bank and European Commission, in promoting and co-ordinating an effective international response that recognises the importance of action in and for the benefit of poorer countries.

Capita Group

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much business his Department has placed with (a) Capita Group plc and (b) its subsidiaries in each of the last five years; what the total value is of outstanding contracts placed with Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries by his Department; for which current tenders issued by his Department (i) Capita Group plc and (ii) its subsidiaries have been invited to bid; and whether (A) Capita Group plc and (B) its subsidiaries have seconded staff (1) temporarily and (2) on a longer-term basis to (X) his Department and (Y) its agencies.

Hilary Benn: I refer the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell to an answer given on 13 February 2003, Official Report, column 921W, which provided details of contracts awarded to Capita Group plc and subsidiaries for 200102 and 200203. These contracts have now ended. The Department for International Development (DFID) and Commonwealth Development Corporation (CDC) have no other contracts with Capita or any of its subsidiaries. There are no current tenders for which they have been invited to bid, and no seconded staff in office.

Capita Group

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what the value of contracts held by his Department with (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries was in the last three financial years;
	(2)  how many tenders (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries have submitted to his Department in each of the last three years; and how many tenders were successful.

Hilary Benn: The Department for International Development ( DFID ) did not have any contracts with or receive any tenders from Capita plc or its subsidiaries during the last three financial years.

Capita Group

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many contracts his Department holds with (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries which still have a potential duration of five years or more.

Hilary Benn: The Department For International Development (DFID) does not have any contracts with Capita plc or its subsidiaries.

Sudan

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made of the number of (a) internally displaced people and (b) refugees in other countries arising from the situation in Darfur.

Hilary Benn: The UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) currently estimates the number of internally displaced people (IDPs) in Darfur at 1.8 million. Although the first three months of 2005 have seen further displacement, estimated at up to 140,000, ongoing headcount and re-registration exercises amongst existing IDPs have reduced previous estimates. The overall figure has therefore stayed reasonably stable.
	There are an estimated 200,000 Darfuri refugees in Chad as a result of the conflict in Darfur. Since January 2006, a further 3,600 displaced people have crossed the border from West Darfur into the eastern Chadian.

Departmental Sick Leave (Stress)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many people have been on sick leave suffering from stress in his Department in each of the last three years; and what percentage of the total staff number this represents.

Gareth Thomas: The number of DFID staff who have been on sick leave suffering from stress in each of the last three years, and the percentage of staff that this represents are in the following table.
	
		
			  Number of cases Percentage of staff 
		
		
			 2003 27 1.38 
			 2004 24 1.21 
			 2005 24 1.28 
			 2006   
		
	
	The figures given in the table relate to permanent and fixed term Home Civil Service staff and will cover a range of stress induced illnesses, including work related stress.
	DFID recognises work related stress as an occupational health and safety issue and is currently putting the Health and Safety Executive's Management Standards for handling work related stress into practice.
	A comprehensive risk assessment was carried out in 2004 and we are currently in the process of implementing a Stress Prevention Strategy within the department. A number of measures have been put in place to deal with work related stress, including stress management training; an employee assistance programme; a counselling service; flexible working arrangements and an occupational healthcare scheme.

Departmental Televisions

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many television sets are in operation in the Department (a) in total, (b) in Ministers' private offices and (c) in each building in the Department; and how many television licences are held by the Department.

Gareth Thomas: DFID has 36 televisions in its three UK offices. Four are in Minister's and associated private offices. There are 22 televisions in total in the main building at 1 Palace street, London (including the four above), a further seven in DFID's office at 20 Victoria street, London, and seven in our East Kilbride office. Each of the three buildings holds its own single television license.

Earthquake Relief (South-east Asia)

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what recent assessment he has made of international efforts to (a) assist the relief of those affected by the October 2005 earthquake in South East Asia and (b) help the process of reconstruction; and how much of that effort was provided by the UK.

Gareth Thomas: DFID has so far committed approximately 53.3 million to the relief effort, making the UK the second largest donor after the US, and has pledged a further 70 million to reconstruction. Overall the international community has committed $1.09 billion to meet relief needs.
	DFID is currently conducting a thorough review of the post-earthquake situation in south Asia and the effectiveness of international relief. So far, DFID officials have made three visits to review logistics, health, water and sanitation and shelter; two more will take place later this month to look at the response of the Red Cross Movement and at livelihoods.
	With regard to the reconstruction, at present there is no formal process by which the Government of Pakistan (GoP) are consulting donors about GoP/donor preferences for commitment and utilisation of the funds that were pledged to Pakistan at the donors conference on 19 November. There is effective informal co-ordination between the main donors (known locally as the Group of 7) and through this fora, we are working together with the GoP to articulate its demands more clearly, to increase local ownership.
	DFID is one of the largest bilateral donors for reconstruction, and is a trusted partner of the Government of Pakistan. We committed 70 million for reconstruction at the Donors' Conference last November. DFID Pakistan has undertaken a programming mission and will be submitting a Programme Memorandum for Ministers' approval this month. DFID funds are likely to be routed through the Government of Pakistan for general reconstruction purposes as well as some more specific technical assistance funds for capacity building and disaster risk reduction.
	We have provided technical support to Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) to draw up a master plan for implementation and monitoring of the overall reconstruction programme. DFID support to the Government of Pakistan also includes developing a single, comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework, providing the Pakistani authorities and donors with a common framework, ensuring no duplication of effort.
	The first 5 million tranche of DFID's support for reconstruction has already been spent. In consultation with international programme partners in Pakistan and the Governments of Pakistani Administered Kashmir and the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), immediate reconstruction purposes were identified and the following critical areas were funded:
	4 million for reconstructing critical bridges in the affected area;
	800,000 to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for training teachers and administrators, in order to underpin support for rehabilitation of the education sector;
	200,000 for TB prevention services and mental health support services in the earthquake affected areas.

Ethiopia

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make representations to the Prime Minister of Ethiopia on (a) the reorganisation of the National Election Board, (b) the repeal of parliamentary procedures which preclude opposition members from participating fully in parliamentary proceedings, (c) the independence of the judiciary and courts and (d) the establishment of an independent media commission.

Hilary Benn: The UK Government are committed to promoting better governance in Ethiopia and I have raised concerns about all of these issues with Prime Minister Meles Zenawi. Along with a number of donors, we are contributing to Ethiopia's own public sector capacity-building programme, which includes reform of judicial systems. We are also working closely with the Government of Ethiopia, Parliament and other stakeholders on issues such as reform of the National Election Board, best practice in parliamentary procedures, and media legislation. We remain committed to supporting democratisation in Ethiopia.

Ethiopia

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will take steps to ensure that the European Union cancels all financial aid to Ethiopia until democracy and the independence of the judiciary is restored in that country.

Hilary Benn: All donors, including the UK and other European Union members, have decided they can no longer provide assistance to Ethiopia through general budget support, which the Government could use for any purpose, in the light of recent political developments. Nevertheless, the UK remains fully committed to supporting the people of Ethiopia in their fight against poverty, and I do not consider it appropriate to cancel all other forms of aid or to encourage others to do so.
	DFID is working with the World Bank and the Government of Ethiopia to develop a new, more accountable method of providing funds, through Government channels, for basic services such as education, health and water. Other donors, including the European Commission and some other member states, have expressed an interest in channelling funds through this mechanism.
	The international community has repeatedly and publicly made known its concerns about the events surrounding the 2005 elections and human rights abuses.

Grievance Procedures

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many grievance procedures have been initiated in his Department in each of the last three years.

Gareth Thomas: DFID's grievance procedures are fully compliant with UK legislation and apply to civil servants working in the UK and overseas. We also apply them to our locally appointed staff overseas, who work under local contracts, unless local law dictates otherwise.
	DFID did not hold a central record of grievances until October 2004. We have details of two grievances raised in 200304.
	Since October 2004, there have been a total of 17 grievances raised. This includes civil servants and locally appointed staff overseas. The following table provides a breakdown by year.
	
		
			  Grievances 
		
		
			 200304 2 (no central records) 
			 200405 10 
			 200506 7 
			 Total 19

Harassment Complaints

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many complaints of (a) bullying and (b) sexual harassment have been investigated in his Department in each of the last three years; and how many complaints have been upheld.

Gareth Thomas: DFID's Grievance Procedures are fully compliant with UK legislation and apply to civil servants working in the UK and overseas. We also apply them to our locally appointed staff overseas, who work under local contracts, unless local law dictates otherwise. We are currently preparing a Dignity At Work policy, which will provide improved guidance on issues such as bullying and harassment, including sources of advice and support
	DFID did not hold a central record of grievances until October 2004. We have details of two cases in 200304.
	A total of seven complaints of bullying or harassment have been investigated in the last three years. This includes civil servants and locally appointed staff overseas. Due to the small numbers, a breakdown by year, category and outcome is not made public on grounds of confidentiality.

Lesotho

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the total amount of UK aid to Lesotho has been in each of the last 30 years in real terms at current prices.

Hilary Benn: The UK has provided the following aid to Lesotho in real terms:
	
		 million
		
			  UK bilateral aid in real terms at 2004 prices Estimated UK share of multilateral assistance in real terms as at 2004 prices 
		
		
			 1975 20.7 n/a 
			 1976 9.6 n/a 
			 1977 8.9 n/a 
			 1978 19.2 n/a 
			 1979 20.9 n/a 
			 1980 11.7 n/a 
			 1981 12.7 n/a 
			 1982 8.6 4.8 
			 1983 10.2 3.9 
			 1984 10.8 3.7 
			 1985 4.6 4.7 
			 1986 7.2 2.7 
			 1987 7.0 3.4 
			 1988 8.3 3.9 
			 1989 9.5 5.1 
			 1990 8.5 4.3 
			 1991 9.9 3.6 
			 1992 8.2 5.1 
			 1993 8.5 5.6 
			 1994 6.2 6.7 
			 1995 7.7 3.3 
			 1996 6.2 3.6 
			 1997 5.3 2.9 
			 1998 6.0 2.5 
			 1999 3.0 0.1 
			 2000 3.3 2.3 
			 2001 3.1 2.4 
			 2002 1.2 1.9 
			 2003 3.2 3.8 
			 2004 4.0 n/a 
		
	
	n/a = not available
	In addition DFID operates a number of regional programmes, totalling 24 million, from which Lesotho also benefits.

Palestine

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which independent auditor has been responsible for reviewing the Palestinian Authority's annual financial statements in accordance with the terms of the Reform Trust Fund; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The Palestinian Authority's annual financial statements have been reviewed by Price Waterhouse Coopers Ltd. This company was selected by international competitive tender.

Palestine

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has received from the Palestinian Authority regarding its commitment to reform benchmarks agreed with the World Bank; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: Progress against reform benchmarks agreed by the Palestinian Authority (PA) were most recently assessed by the World Bank in consultation with the PA, DFID and other donors in February 2006. The World Bank mission report noted that the PA had met eleven out of fourteen of its reform benchmarks and had made progress on the remaining three.
	The PA had successfully established internal and external audit functions as well as internal controls on procurement and salary payments. However, work remained on pension reform and on a strategy to improve medium-term fiscal stability.

Palestine

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what discussions he has had with his Quartet partners regarding the future of the Reform Trust Fund; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what discussions he has had with his (a) EU and (b) US counterparts regarding the provision and continuation of humanitarian and development support to the Palestinian people; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: On 30 January, the Quartet (the US, the EU, the UN and Russia) stated that aid to the future Palestinian government would be reviewed against the principles of non-violence, recognition of Israel's right to exist and commitment to the peace process. The Quartet noted on 30 March, that the new Government had not committed to these principles and that this would inevitably lead to an effect on direct assistance to that Government.
	In these circumstances the UK Government cannot provide direct financial support to the Palestinian cabinet or its ministries through the Reform Trust Fund or by other means. However, we will continue to do all that we can to support the basic needs of the Palestinian people. We are working with other the main donors to establish the most effective mechanisms for this.

Palestine

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development pursuant to his answer of 21 March 2006, Official Report, columns 1878W, on Palestine, what conclusions have been drawn from the review process on how best to support poverty reduction for the Palestinians in the context of the outcome of the recent Palestinian legislative elections; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: On 30 March the Quartet (the US, the EU, the UN and Russia) noted that the new Palestinian Government have not yet complied with the principles of non-violence, recognition of Israel's right to exist and commitment to the peace process. Without progress against the Quartet's conditions, the UK Government cannot provide direct financial support to the Palestinian cabinet or its ministries. Projects with Palestinian Ministries have been suspended or re-oriented to focus on other partners. DFID is also working with other major donors to establish the most effective mechanism to meet the basic needs of the Palestinian people without providing funding through the Palestinian Government.

Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's employer contribution rates to the Principal Civil Service pension scheme are; what assumed rate of return underlies those contribution rates; and what the contribution rate would be if the assumed rate of return was in line with current redemption yield on index-linked gilts.

Gareth Thomas: I refer the hon. Member for Runnymede and Weybridge to the response given by my hon. Friend, the Under-Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office, (Mr. Murphy) on 29 March 2006, Official Report, columns 10301031W.

Rwanda

Edward Balls: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the literacy rates are in Rwanda; and how this has changed in the last 10 years.

Hilary Benn: Estimations of literacy in Rwanda vary considerably. Based on the 2000 national Household Living Conditions Survey (HLCS), which recorded a literacy rate of 52.4 per cent., and the 2002 population census, we estimate the current literacy rate to be between 5560 per cent. The HLCS records lower literacy rates for women47.79 per cent. compared to 58.06 per cent. for men. There is very little comparable national data on literacy available for the last 10 years: international statistics suggest that literacy rates may have fallen between 1990 and 1996 from 53.3 per cent. (Global Monitoring Report) to 48 per cent. (UNDP Human Development Report) but they have now surpassed pre-genocide levels. Higher rates of youth literacy (1524 years) suggest a positive trajectory for the future. The 2006 HLCS, due to report in 2007, should supply more up to date statistics.
	
		Literacy ratesEducation for All Global Monitoring Report 2006
		
			  Percentage 
		
		
			 Adult literacy rate (15 years and over)  
			 1990  
			 Total 53.3 
			 Male 62.9 
			 Female 44.0 
			   
			 200004  
			 Total 69.2 
			 Male 75.3 
			 Female 63.4 
			   
			 Youth literacy rate (15 to 24 years)  
			 1990  
			 Total 72.7 
			 Male 78.0 
			 Female 67.4 
			   
			 200004  
			 Total 84.9 
			 Male 86.3 
			 Female 83.6

Tanzania

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions he has had with the United Nations concerning the provision of aid in drought stricken regions of Tanzania.

Hilary Benn: DFID's response to the drought is based on the Government of Tanzania's requests for assistance to the donor community. In February, the Government of Tanzania requested the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) to co-ordinate an immediate programme of distribution of seed and pesticides to the worst affected parts of the country. DFID Tanzania has provided 700,000 of assistance to this programme. Seeds, pesticides and livestock inoculations are now being purchased and distributed, and are reaching those most in need.
	The Government of Tanzania also requested the World Food Programme (WFP) of the United Nations to plan a medium-term Emergency Operation to distribute 34,000 metric tons of free food aid to 565,000 of the most vulnerable people from mid May to September. These figures are now being reviewed by the Government of Tanzania, the WFP and the FAO. DFID and other donors will consider providing further emergency support for drought relief in Tanzania, subject to the recommendations of this review.

Tanzania

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what estimate he has made of the amount of food aid required to prevent famine in Tanzania before the May harvest.

Hilary Benn: DFID, in line with other donors, has based its assessment of what aid is required on the Government of Tanzania's own figures. In February, following a rapid vulnerability analysis, the Government of Tanzania requested assistance from the international community with the provision of 100,000 metric tonnes of food assistance. Of this, 34,000 tonnes would be distributed as free food aid to 565,000 vulnerable people over a five-month period, beginning in mid May. The Government also requested immediate assistance in the form of seed and pesticides. In response, the UK has provided 700,000 to the Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) for a programme of seed distribution, pesticide and livestock inoculation. In the longer term, DFID is helping the Government of Tanzania to address the root causes of poverty and food insecurity for its most vulnerable citizens.

UN Food and Agriculture Organisation

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding the Government have committed to provide to the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN in each of the next three years; what funding it provided to the Agency in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: The United Kingdom has paid the following assessed contributions for the core budget of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) over the last three years:
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 2003 11.23 
			 2004 12.05 
			 2005 11.94 
		
	
	The Government is committed to paying assessed contributions over the next three years as follows:
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 2006 13.75 
			 2007 13.75 
			 2008 (235) 
		
	
	(235) No commitment as FAO's budget for the biennium for 200809 has not yet been approved by FAO's governing body. The commitments for 2006 and 2007 are approximate and may vary.
	In addition to the assessed contributions, the Government provides funding to and through the FAO for specific activities and programmes. Detailed information on these contributions is not held centrally and to gather it would involve incurring a disproportionate cost.

UN Food and Agriculture Organisation

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the work of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the UN, with particular reference to meeting the millennium development goals.

Gareth Thomas: The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has an important contribution to make to the achievement of the Millennium Developments Goals, especially the target of reducing hunger by half by 2015. Evidence from assessments carried out by DFID and others shows that the FAO does much useful work to a very high professional standard; but it also shows that urgent reforms are needed to improve the FAO's efficiency and effectiveness, to ensure that it focuses its resources on the right priorities and to enable the FAO to play its full part in the wider reform of the United Nations system. The FAO's governing bodies have recently launched a comprehensive Independent External Evaluation (IEE) of the FAO to strengthen the evidence base and to help to generate consensus on what needs to be done to improve the FAO's performance in discharging its mandate and contributing to the Millennium Development Goals. DFID has pledged up to 300,000 towards the costs of the IEE.

Water Access

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps he is taking to improve his Department's performance in providing access to clean water and sanitation in the developing world.

Hilary Benn: DFID is committed to helping achieve the millennium development goal (MDG) target of halving the proportion of people without access to safe water by 2015. Our programmes are focussed on sub-Saharan Africa and parts of Asia, where achieving the target will be most difficult.
	DFID is committed to doubling spending on water in Africa to 95 million by 2008. We are currently actively involved in seven African countries (Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania and Zambia), up from only two two years ago; and through our funding of other agencies' programmes, we reach many other countries.
	We are also committed to creating an international system that works more effectively than it does now. We work closely with the World Bank, which is now more focussed on water, and with UN Water, to improve coordination of the UN agencies operating water and sanitation programmes.
	DFID closely monitors progress in water and sanitation and publishes regular updates on the DFID website. The latest update will published later this month.

World Conference on Women

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what definition he uses of reproductive rights as set out in the United Nations Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women 1995; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: The United Nations Report of the Fourth World Conference on Women (FWCW) in 1995, uses the definition of reproductive rights agreed at the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo in 1994. The definition is contained in paragraph 7.3 of the Cairo Programme of Action and in paragraph 95 of the FWCW Report.
	In addition, paragraph 96 of the FWCW Report contains reference to women's human rights, thus providing more support for the definition given in paragraph 95.
	Both the ICPD and the FWCW represent international policy standards, providing a basis for understanding and action agreed upon by countries by consensus.

World Health Organisation

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much funding his Department provided to the World Health Organisation for the publication Safe Abortion: Technical and Policy Guidance for Health Systems; and if he will make a statement.

Gareth Thomas: DFID did not provide any funding to the World Health Organisation (WHO) directly for the publication of the technical and policy guidance on safe abortion.
	In September 2000, the World Health Organisation did convene a technical consultation on safe abortion as part of the process of preparing the technical and policy guidance. The technical consultation brought together international experts, including developing country health policy makers, to review the evidence and make recommendations on what the guidance should cover.
	DFID provided 50,000 to support the technical consultation, to help ensure the participation of developing country experts.
	Since 2003, we have provided an annual contribution to the WHO's core budget (currently 12.5 million), for the WHO to allocate against its approved Programme and Budget.

World Heritage Sites

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which Minister in his Department has responsibility for issues relating to world heritage sites.

Gareth Thomas: Lead responsibility for policy on world heritage sites rests with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport works closely with relevant Government Departments on all issues affecting world heritage sites. Within the Department for International Development, both myself and my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for International Development have responsibility for issues concerning world heritage sites which fall within the geographical areas on which they lead and which are within this Department's policy remit.

CABINET OFFICE

Office of Personnel Management

John Spellar: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will assess the relevance for the UK of the work of the Office of Personnel Management in the United States on encouraging working from home by Government employees.

Jim Murphy: Departments and Agencies have authority to put in place any working pattern, including home working, they consider suitable and are committed to opening up more flexible working opportunities, particularly at senior levels. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) encourages federal Government agencies to offer a varied choice of flexible working options to their employees, similar to that in the UK civil service. OPM pro-actively encourages home working as an option. The civil service is committed to keeping abreast of international initiatives and incorporating good practice into our own policies.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Ascension Island

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 27 March 2006, Official Report, column 665W, on Ascension Island, for what reasons the 27 people without a work contract with one of the main users are permitted to stay on the Island.

Douglas Alexander: Of the 27 people on Ascension Island who do not have a work contract with one of the main users, 23 are employed with businesses considered to be essential services such as food outlets, small shops, the petrol station, hotel and bakery.
	Of the remaining four people, three are adult dependent children whose permission to remain has been brought into line with that of their parents.
	The status of the remaining individual is currently under review by the Attorney General.

Grievance Procedures

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many grievance procedures have been initiated in his Department in each of the last three years.

Ian Pearson: Grievances are dealt with informally through the complainant's line manager in the first instance and figures are not held centrally for such cases. Only if the issue cannot be resolved through the informal route are they officially recorded and dealt with formally. Formal grievance procedures were initiated as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2003 8 
			 2004 4 
			 2005 4

Gibraltar

John Stanley: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what proposals the British Government has put to the Spanish Government, and on what dates, to resolve the dispute over the operation by the authorities in Gibraltar of the Hague Convention of 1996 on the International Protection of Children once ratified by EU member states; and if he will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: The ratification of the Hague Convention of 1996 on the International Protection of Children is being blocked because Spain has questioned the arrangements under this convention for communications with competent authorities in Gibraltar.
	A number of attempts have been made to resolve the issue. In late 2003 there were discussions at ministerial and official level. In October 2004 my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary wrote to the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs urging him to take a fresh look at the issue. There have been continued attempts to resolve the problem at official level and the broader issue of postboxing (whereby formal communications between Gibraltar competent authorities and their EU/European Economic Area/European Free Trade Association counterparts under EU instruments take place via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London) is one of the subjects under discussion in the ongoing trilateral dialogue between Spain, Gibraltar and the UK.

Harassment Complaints

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many complaints of (a) bullying and (b) sexual harassment have been investigated in his Department in each of the last three years; and how many complaints have been upheld.

Ian Pearson: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not keep a breakdown of grievance types into separate categories as asked in this question. Our experience has been that grievances are often complex and can arise from a number of different issues so that it is often not feasible to categorise in this way.
	Over the last three years, grievances have been investigated and upheld as follows:
	
		
			  Number investigated Number upheld 
		
		
			 2003 8 2 
			 2004 4 1 
			 2005 7 (236) 
		
	
	(236) None upheld.

Israel

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to his answer of 10 March 2006, Official Report, column 1912W on Israel, whether he has asked UN Special Co-Ordinator de Soto what the outcome was of his raising with the Israeli authorities the issue of the Israeli air force operating low-flying aircraft over the Gaza strip.

Kim Howells: Our Permanent Mission to the UN has asked UN Special Co-ordinator de Soto about his meetings. Mr. de Soto confirmed that he raised this matter with the Israelis but was unable to provide further details due to the confidential nature of the exchange.
	Our embassy in Tel Aviv last raised this with the Israeli air force on 22 March.

Israel

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government continues to regard the Green Line as the border of Israel under international law.

Kim Howells: The territory beyond the Green Line which Israel occupied in June 1967 is occupied territory. UN Security Council Resolution 242 (1967) which the UK supported calls for the withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories occupied in the recent conflict and the termination of all claims of belligerency and respect for and acknowledgement of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of every state in the area and their right to live in peace within secure and recognised boundaries free from threats or acts of force.
	We continue to believe that final status issues, such as the final determination of borders, should be resolved through negotiations and agreement between the parties themselves. We share the quartet's goal of a two-state solution with Israel secure within her borders and Palestine established as a viable, contiguous state. We shall continue to work to this end.

Palestine

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to persuade Israel to stop taking more Palestinian land for illegal settlements, roads and the Wall in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

Kim Howells: We continue to raise both the barrier and settlements with the Israeli Government. Our ambassador in Tel Aviv last raised both of these issues on 2 March with the Israeli Prime Minister's Special Adviser.
	Settlements are illegal under international law and settlement construction is an obstacle to peace. The Roadmap is clear that Israel should freeze all settlement construction including the natural growth of existing settlements and dismantle all outposts built since 2001.
	The barrier's route should be on or behind the Green Line and not on occupied territory. Construction of the barrier on Palestinian land is illegal. The route is particularly damaging around East Jerusalem, as it risks cutting the city off from the West Bank and dividing the West Bank in two.
	We will continue to raise our concerns over the settlements and the barrier with the Israeli Government at all levels.

Palestine

Roberta Blackman-Woods: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government recognises the right of return to their homes and land of Palestinian refugees.

Kim Howells: The return of refugees is a final status issue. Final status issues should be resolved through negotiations and agreement between the parties themselves. We continue to urge both the Israeli Government and the Palestinian Authority to implement their commitments as the best way to get to a negotiated settlement.

Uganda

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the ability of President Museveni to deal effectively with (a) corruption, (b) rural poverty and (c) HIV/AIDS in Uganda; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: I have been asked to reply.
	Uganda has made significant progress in reducing poverty since President Museveni came to power in 1986. The percentage of the total population living below the poverty line has fallen from 56 per cent. in the early 1990s to 38 per cent. at the time of the last National Household survey in 200203. The third phase of the Government's Poverty Eradication Action Plan (PEAP) which commenced in 200405 sets out how the Government intend to further reduce poverty over the next three years.
	Corruption is a serious problem that needs to be addressed. We welcome the progress that has been made in establishing anti-corruption institutions and legislation including the Government's 2005 National Strategy to Fight Corruption. Strong political commitment is now required to use this framework effectively. Transparency, accountability and the elimination of corruption are identified as key priorities in the PEAP.
	Following economic liberalisation in the agriculture sector, the proportion of the population living below the poverty line in rural areas has declined significantly from 60 per cent. in the early 1990s to 42 per cent. in 200203. Studies have also shown major improvements in non-income measures of poverty in rural Uganda including the quality of housing and access to education and health care. The Government's plan for the modernisation of agriculture is an important part of the PEAP.
	Uganda has been a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS and the percentage of the adult population with HIV has fallen from 18 per cent. to 6 per cent. since the early 1990s. A cause for concern, however, is that the rate of new infections still remains relatively high. Strong political commitment and concerted efforts by both the Government of Uganda and its development partners are required to address this problem. This is also a priority identified in the PEAP.

TREASURY

Anti-Terrorism

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what total amount of money was made available in the 2006 Budget for anti-terrorism purposes; and how much was allocated to each element making up this total.

Des Browne: The Budget announced the allocation of 42.5 milion to the Home Office from the counter-terrorism pool to help meet emerging counter-terrorism pressures. This follows the allocation in the pre-Budget report of an additional 85 million to bring forward the planned expansion of Security and Intelligence Agencies and the extension of the availability of the counter-terrorism pool beyond 200506.

Anti-Terrorism

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to paragraph 6.68 of the 2006 Budget report, how much of the planned funding for anti-terrorism will be allocated in (a) 200607 and (b) 200708.

Des Browne: The allocation of 42.5 million from the counter-terrorism pool announced in the Budget is broken down as 22.5 million in 200607 and 20 million in 200708.

Average Earnings

Diana Johnson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average earnings of full-time employees in the constituency of Kingston upon Hull North were in April of each year since 2000.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 April 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question to ask what the average earnings of full-time employees in the Kingston upon Hull North constituency were in April in each year since 2000. (62861)
	Average earnings are estimated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), and are provided for full time employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. This is the standard definition used for ASHE. The ASHE does not collect data on the self employed and people who do unpaid work.
	I attach tables showing Average Gross Weekly Earnings by parliamentary constituency for the years 2000 to 2005 for Full Time Employees on Adult Rates. These statistics are already published on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=13101
	The ASHE, carried out in April of each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom, It is a one per cent sample of all employees who are members of pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) schemes.
	
		Gross weekly pay for full-time employee jobs(237) by place of work
		
			  
			 Kingston upon Hull North Median Mean 
		
		
			 2000 *352 387 
			 2001 *338 389 
			 2002 *355 393 
			 2003 *361 398 
			 2004 *381 428 
			 2004(238) *381 421 
			 2005 *390 426 
		
	
	(237) Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence.
	(238) Includes supplementary survey data.
	Guide to quality:
	The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality.
	The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV e.g. for an average of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent., we would expect the population average to be within the range 180 to 220.
	Key:
	CV =5 per cent.
	*CV5 per cent. and= 10 per cent.
	**CV 10 per cent. and=20 per cent.
	Note:
	The median replaces the mean as the headline statistic. The weighted mean is the sum of the weighted values divided by the sum of the weights. The median is the value below which 50 per cent. of employees fall. It is preferred over the mean for earnings data as it is influenced less by extreme values and because of the skewed distribution of earnings data.
	Source:
	Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Office for National Statistics.
	
		Gross weekly pay for full-time employee jobs(239) by place of residence
		
			  
			 Kingston upon Hull North Median Mean 
		
		
			 2000 .. .. 
			 2001 .. .. 
			 2002 *365 389 
			 2003 *360 393 
			 2004 *369 404 
			 2004(240) *375 413 
			 2005 *380 422 
		
	
	.. Denotes data not collected before 2002.
	(239) Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence.
	(240) Includes Supplementary survey data.
	Guide to quality:
	The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality.
	The true value is likely to lie within +/- twice the CV e.g. for an average of 200 with a CV of 5 per cent., we would expect the population average to be within the range 180 to 220.
	Key:
	CV=5 per cent.
	*CV5 per cent. and= 10 per cent.
	**CV 10 per cent. and=20 per cent.
	Note:
	The median replaces the mean as the headline statistic. The weighted mean is the sum of the weighted values divided by the sum of the weights. The median is the value below which 50 per cent. of employees fall. It is preferred over the mean for earnings data as it is influenced less by extreme values and because of the skewed distribution of earnings data.
	Source:
	Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Office for National Statistics.

Child Poverty

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the increases in (a) child tax credit and (b) child benefit which would be necessary to lift one million more children out of relative poverty; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Between the mid 1970s and mid 1990s, relative child poverty more than doubled. This Government have committed to halve child poverty by 201011 and to eradicate it by 2020. In 200405 there were 700,000 children fewer children in relative poverty than in 199899.
	It is possible to model the immediate effects of changes to the rates of Child Benefit or Child Tax Credit on the level of children in poverty but this will always involve considerable uncertainty and is sensitive to factors such as the precise definition of household income, income equivalisation scales and other modelling choices. Furthermore, future projections involve even greater uncertainties, including future income growth, changes in the income distribution and individual changes in behaviour in response to policy changes. However, an increase of 15 per week in all rates of Child Benefit would have lifted around 1 million children before housing costs (BHC), or 1.4 million children after housing costs (AHC), out of poverty in 200506. On the same basis, an increase of 14 per week in the child element of the Child Tax Credit would have lifted around 1 million children (BHC), or 1.4 million children (AHC), out of poverty. The increase in Child Benefit would have cost around 10 billion in 200506, while the increase in the Child Tax Credit would have cost around 5 billion.
	The Government will continue to take forward a multi-faceted strategy to tackle child poverty, as set out in the Child Poverty Review. This is based on financial support for families, work for those who can, tackling material deprivation and improving life chances for poor children.

Child Poverty

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate is of (a) the cost of raising child benefit to 20 for each child aged under five years and (b) how many children would be lifted out of poverty as a result; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The cost of raising Child Benefit (CB) to 20 per week for each child under five years would be approximately 1 billion for 200607.
	It is estimated that this increased rate of CB for children under five would lift between 100 and 200 thousand children out of relative income poverty. Such estimates are sensitive to the precise definition of household income, income equalisation scale and other modelling choices.

Child Trust Funds

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate is of the cost of the Child Trust Fund in each year from 200506 to 201516; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: The AME accruals cost to the Exchequer of the Child Trust Fund is forecast at 240 million each year, rising to 480 million each year once further payments into Child Trust Fund accounts at age 7 are fully on stream by 201112.

Climate Change Levy

Gregory Barker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of reductions in carbon dioxide planned by the Government to meet the 2010 target the Climate Change Levy was intended to deliver.

John Healey: Independent evaluation by Cambridge Econometrics estimates that the Climate Change Levy will deliver annual savings of over 3.5 million tonnes of carbon (MtC) by 2010well above the 2 MtC a year figure forecast at the time of its introduction.

Climate Change Levy

Gregory Barker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what representations he has received on the Government's plans to use the Climate Change Levy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

John Healey: The Government receive many representations as part of the budget process and consider these carefully in that context. The Budget announced that rates of CCL will increase in line with current inflation. The inflation increase will be introduced on 1 April 2007.

Climate Change Levy

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the arrangements to return the revenue from the increase in the climate change levy directly to business will result in any loss of revenue to the National Insurance Fund.

John Healey: The Government are committed to returning CCL revenue to business. The 0.3 percentage point reduction in national insurance contributions (NICs), brought in when CCL was introduced, will continue and the Government will discuss with business the most effective way of supporting investment in energy efficiency.

Community Projects

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to his announcement in the Budget of a new venture between police, football clubs and community groups, what funds he is making available in Wales for that purpose.

Des Browne: The Welsh Assembly Government received Barnett formula consequentials of the public spending measures announced in the Chancellor's Budget Statement in the normal way. The Welsh Assembly Government is funded on a block budget basis and it is for the Welsh Assembly to decide how to allocate its block budget.

Correspondence

Andrew Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will provide a substantive reply to question 58890 tabled by the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight on 13 March 2006 on tax credits.

Dawn Primarolo: Question 58890 was answered on 30 March 2006, Official Report, column 1117W.

Credit Overpayments

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will publish the figures for credit overpayments in 200405; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Estimates of the numbers and levels of overpayments for 200405 tax credit awards will be published on 31 May 2006.

Defence Spending

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the level of defence spending was for (a) the UK and (b) each of the other members of the EU in each of the last two years for which figures are available; and what those figures represent as a percentage of gross domestic product.

Des Browne: Expenditure on Defence, both in total and as a percentage of Gross domestic product, is published in Public Expenditure Statistical Analysis 2005.
	The Treasury does not compile data on the defence expenditure of other EU member countries

Defence Spending

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the defence spending of the UK and other EU member states is discussed at meetings of EU finance ministers.

Des Browne: Defence Spending, as an exclusive competence of the member states, is not discussed at meetings of the ECOFIN Council.

Departmental Equipment

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer to the hon. Member for Chipping Barnet (Mrs. Villiers) of 16 January 2006, Official Report, column 1157W, on departmental equipment 
	(1)  when his Department last made an assessment of value for money for the procurement of its mobile telephones and associated services; what figures were used in the assessment as an indicator of the cost to the Department of these services; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  how his Department ensures compliance with best value practice for the procurement of mobile telephones and associated services; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The Treasury subscribes to a framework contract managed by OGC buying solutions for its mobile telephones and associated services. OGC buying solutions provide a dedicated procurement service that establishes such contracts and makes them available to central Government and the wider public sector.
	Using the OGC buying solutions contract for mobile telephones and associated services allows the Treasury to minimise its own management costs, benefit from aggregated purchasing, and ensure that it is achieving value for money consistent with other Government Departments.

Departmental Leave (Stress)

David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have been on sick leave suffering from stress in his Department in each of the last three years; and what percentage of the total staff number this represents.

John Healey: The number of staff taking sickness absence relating to stress like symptoms as a percentage of staff in post were:
	
		
			  Number of employees % of total workforce 
		
		
			 2003 33 2.5 
			 2004 29 2.1 
			 2005 27 2.0

Departmental Recruitment

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many job advertisements were placed by his Department (a) in total, (b) in print newspapers and magazines and (c) on a recruitment website in each year since 1997; and at what (i) total and (ii) average cost in each case.

John Healey: The information is given in the table:
	
		
			  Advertising cost () 
		
		
			 200203 126,000 
			 200304 210,000 
			 200405 151,000 
		
	
	Prior to 2005, recruitment advertising was predominantly in the print media. During the year 200506 we have begun to use web-based recruitment. Print media remains the dominant advertising route. No breakdown of costs between web-based and print media advertising is available.
	Details for the period 1997 to 2002 are not available.

Departmental Staff

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many and what proportion of (a) staff and (b) new staff employed in (i) his Department and (ii) each of the agencies for which he has responsibility were registered as disabled in each of the last three years for which data is available.

John Healey: The Cabinet Office collects and publishes annually statistical information on the Civil Service by Department. http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management/statistics/publications/xls/disability_apr04_4nov04.xls. These include data on the number of staff in departments who have declared a disability. Declaration of a disability is voluntary, which has a significant impact on the data held, and means they cannot be taken as conclusive figures on staff with disabilities in the Departments. Details on new staff who are registered disabled is given in the following table:
	
		
			  2003 2004 2005 
			 Department Percentage Number of people Percentage Number of people Percentage Number of people 
		
		
			 HM Treasury 4.2 11 3.0 4 0.8 1 
			 Royal Mint 0.1 1 0.1 1 0.1 1 
			 DMO 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 HMRC 1.79 175 2.22 401 1.36 146 
			 OGC 0 0 0 0 3.3 0 
			 OGC Buying Solutions 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Savings  Investments 0.07 1 0.07 1 0.07 1 
			 ONS 1.1 3 1.5 6 0.8 2 
			 Valuation office 2.68 31 3.46 42 5.4 20 
			 GAD 0 0 0.01 1 0.01 1 
			 Total  222  678  172

Departmental Televisions

Jo Swinson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many television sets are in operation in the Department (a) in total, (b) in Ministers' private offices and (c) in each building in the Department; and how many television licences are held by the Department.

John Healey: The Treasury has 45 television sets in operation across all sites, including 11 in use in Ministers' private offices.
	At the main Treasury building (1 Horse Guards Road) the department has a single multi-access system for distributing television programs around the building. The television programs can then be viewed using conventional television sets, plasma/led displays or personal computers.
	The Treasury has one television licence that covers Treasury usage.

Economic Cycle

David Gauke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the merits of further altering his assessment of the economic cycle for the purposes of calculating compliance with the golden rule.

Des Browne: The latest assessment of the economic cycle is presented in Budget 2006 (HC 968).

Economic Cycle

David Gauke: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what account he takes of productivity growth figures from the years 200203 onwards when comparing this economic cycle with productivity growth figures in previous economic cycles.

Des Browne: Table B2 of Budget 2006 (HC 968) presents the Government's latest estimates of trend productivity growth over the recent past together with projections for future productivity growth.

Economic Growth (Emissions)

Lynne Jones: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the percentage economic growth was in each year since 1990; what the associated change was in (a) total greenhouse gas emissions and (b) carbon dioxide emissions; what assessment he has made of the association between the three; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: Data on economic growth are given in the financial statement and Budget report, published on 22 March 2006. Data on greenhouse gas emissions and carbon dioxide emissions were published in the Climate Change Programme, published on 28 March 2006. This document sets out the Government's policies and priorities for action in tackling climate change.

Employment (Full and Part-time)

David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many (a) males over 65 and (b) females over 60 years of age were in (i) full-time employment and (ii) part-time employment in each region in each of the last five years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the national statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl, dated 18 April 2006
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about people over state pension age in employment. I am replying in her absence. (63522)
	The attached table gives the number of men aged 65 and over and women aged 60 and over who were working in full-time or part-time employment, for the three months ending November each year from 2001 to 2005, for each country and region of the United Kingdom.
	Estimates are taken from the Office for National Statistics's Labour Force Survey (LFS). As with any sample survey, estimates from the LFS are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		People over state pension age(241) in employment by whether working full or part-time, gender and region of residence, not seasonally adjusted
		
			 Thousand 
			  All persons Men Women 
			 Three months ending November each year All(242) Full-time Part-time All(242) Full-time Part-time All(242) Full-time Part-time 
		
		
			 2001  
			 United Kingdom 869 237 632 288 96 192 581 141 440 
			 North East 21 5 16 5 1 4 16 4 12 
			 North West 70 23 46 22 9 13 48 14 34 
			 Merseyside 15 4 11 4 1 3 11 3 8 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 58 14 44 17 6 11 41 9 33 
			 East Midlands 56 15 42 22 7 16 34 8 26 
			 West Midlands 78 20 57 27 9 18 50 11 39 
			 Eastern 92 23 70 29 11 19 63 12 51 
			 London 102 38 64 33 14 19 69 24 45 
			 South East 160 35 124 61 16 44 100 20 80 
			 South West 98 18 80 31 8 23 67 10 56 
			 Wales 41 15 27 11 4 7 30 10 20 
			 Scotland 58 20 38 18 8 10 40 13 28 
			 Northern Ireland 19 6 12 7 3 4 12 4 8 
			   
			 2002  
			 United kingdom 895 251 644 309 110 199 586 141 445 
			 North East 21 7 14 7 3 4 14 4 10 
			 North West 70 22 47 23 12 11 47 11 36 
			 Merseyside 14 4 11 3 (243) 2 12 3 9 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 62 12 49 18 5 13 44 8 37 
			 East Midlands 63 13 50 22 4 18 41 9 32 
			 West Midlands 78 23 55 27 9 18 51 13 38 
			 Eastern 101 27 75 36 14 22 65 13 52 
			 London 100 33 67 35 13 23 65 21 44 
			 South East 170 47 122 61 22 39 109 25 83 
			 South West 96 23 73 34 9 24 62 14 48 
			 Wales 39 17 22 16 8 8 23 8 15 
			 Scotland 54 12 42 15 3 12 39 8 30 
			 Northern Ireland 27 10 17 13 7 6 14 3 10 
			   
			 2003  
			 United Kingdom 966 277 688 328 115 213 638 163 475 
			 North East 25 7 18 6 2 4 19 5 14 
			 North West 78 25 53 24 10 14 54 15 39 
			 Merseyside 17 3 14 5 2 4 11 1 10 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 66 19 46 18 6 12 48 13 35 
			 East Midlands 69 18 50 24 9 16 44 9 35 
			 West Midlands 77 20 57 27 9 19 50 11 39 
			 Eastern 109 31 79 40 14 26 70 17 53 
			 London 106 35 71 30 12 19 76 24 52 
			 South East 167 46 121 58 19 39 109 27 82 
			 South West 106 25 81 47 13 34 59 12 47 
			 Wales 49 17 32 17 6 10 33 11 22 
			 Scotland 75 22 53 23 8 15 52 14 38 
			 Northern Ireland 20 9 12 7 5 2 13 4 9 
			   
			 2004  
			 United Kingdom 987 300 685 338 125 212 650 175 473 
			 North East 22 9 13 8 4 4 14 5 9 
			 North West 81 24 57 23 8 15 58 16 42 
			 Merseyside 20 4 17 7 2 5 14 2 12 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 71 17 54 19 6 13 52 11 41 
			 East Midlands 67 22 45 25 11 14 42 11 31 
			 West Midlands 77 20 57 24 7 17 53 13 40 
			 Eastern 113 33 80 44 16 27 69 16 53 
			 London 110 41 67 36 14 21 74 27 46 
			 South East 172 52 120 63 23 40 109 29 79 
			 South West 108 31 77 41 16 25 67 15 52 
			 Wales 49 16 33 14 6 8 35 10 24 
			 Scotland 78 24 54 26 8 17 52 15 37 
			 Northern Ireland 20 8 12 8 4 4 12 4 8 
			   
			 2005  
			 United Kingdom 1,095 346 747 378 137 239 718 209 508 
			 North East 27 10 18 8 3 6 19 7 12 
			 North West 86 23 62 28 9 19 58 15 43 
			 Merseyside 19 6 13 5 3 3 14 3 10 
			 Yorkshire and Humberside 70 19 51 20 7 13 50 12 38 
			 East Midlands 82 21 61 26 9 17 56 12 44 
			 West Midlands 108 33 74 38 17 21 70 17 53 
			 Eastern 125 40 85 45 17 28 80 23 56 
			 London 122 50 72 40 17 23 82 33 49 
			 South East 195 59 136 71 20 50 124 39 85 
			 South West 117 32 85 43 13 29 74 19 56 
			 Wales 50 20 30 17 8 9 33 12 20 
			 Scotland 70 24 47 26 10 16 45 14 31 
			 Northern Ireland 24 9 15 11 6 5 13 3 10 
		
	
	(241) 65 and over for men, and 60 and over for women.
	(242) Includes those who did not state whether they worked full or part-time.
	(243) Estimate not shown in order to protect respondents' confidentiality.
	Source:
	ONS labour Force Survey.

Energy Prices

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the effects of energy prices on (a) the purchasing power of households and (b) consumer spending.

John Healey: Chapter B of the Financial Statement and Budget Report 2006 (HC 968), published on 22 March, included an assessment of the effects of energy prices on both household's purchasing power and consumer spending growth.

Financial Services Authority

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what plans he has to improve the accountability of the Financial Services Authority to his Department;
	(2)  if he will bring forward proposals to divide the responsibilities of the Financial Services Authority between new regulatory bodies related to specific sectors of the market.

Ivan Lewis: The effectiveness of the regulatory regime for financial services was considered by the Treasury's two-year review of Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (FSMA), the outcome of which was announced on 2 December 2004. The review concluded that the framework established by FSMA is a resounding success and that existing accounting arrangements should remain unchanged.

Financial Services Authority

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will carry out a review of the fees levied by the Financial Services Authority.

Ivan Lewis: The Financial Services Authority (FSA) is operationally independent of Government including in relation to the setting of fees. The FSA consults annually on its proposed regulatory fees. The FSA consultation for 200607 was announced on 1 February 2006 and is available at http://www.fsa.gov.uk/pubs/cp/cp06_02.pdf.

Grievance Procedures

David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many grievance procedures have been initiated in his Department in each of the last three years;
	(2)  how many complaints of (a) bullying and (b) sexual harassment have been investigated in his Department in each of the last three years; and how many complaints have been upheld.

John Healey: Prior to 2005, the Treasury only kept records on grievances that were upheld. Information on grievances that were raised but not upheld is not available. In 2003, fewer than five 1 grievances were raised and upheld. None were raised and upheld in 2004.
	Since 2005, records have been kept of all grievances. In 2005, five grievances were raised.
	1 numbers fewer than five are not released on grounds of confidentiality.

Income Tax

Diana Johnson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many workers living in (a) Kingston upon Hull, North constituency and (b) Kingston upon Hull pay income tax at (i) the basic rate and (ii) the higher rate.

Dawn Primarolo: Information on the number of taxpayers by marginal tax rate in the constituency of Kingston upon Hull, North and the unitary authority of Kingston upon Hull is not available.
	However, the latest information on the estimated number of income taxpayers and their mean and median total income by constituency is shown in table 3.15 Total income by parliamentary constituency on the HM Revenue and Customs internet website; http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/table-315.xls.
	Similar information, by unitary authority area, is shown in table 3.14 Total income by borough and district or unitary authority on the HM Revenue and Customs internet website; http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/income_distribution/3_14_nov05.xls
	The income tax information is based upon the 200304 Survey of Personal Incomes (SPI).

Income Tax

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the impact on general practitioners of advancing income tax payments for the self employed by one year.

Dawn Primarolo: There are no plans to advance income tax payments for the self employed.

Income Tax

David Mundell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his most recent estimate is of the (a) initial set up costs and (b) annual administration costs to (i) HM Revenue and Customs, (ii) other Government departments and agencies and (iii) businesses if the Scottish Parliament varied the basic rate of income tax under section 73 of the Scotland Act 1998.

Dawn Primarolo: The White Paper of 24 July 1997 Scotland's Parliament indicated that costs of introducing a Scottish variable rate would be in the order of 10 million with annual costs of 8 million. As both administrations of the Scottish Parliament have indicated that they will not take imminent advantage of the Scottish variable rate, the cost estimates have not been uprated. Doing so before a decision was made to introduce a Scottish variable rate would not produce a meaningful estimate of any change.

Informal Economy

Iain Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the size of the informal economy in (a) the UK and (b) the North East.

Dawn Primarolo: There is no reliable estimate of the size of the informal economy in (a) the UK or (b) the North East.

Informal Economy

Iain Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department is taking to reduce the size of the informal economy in the North-East.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC continues to detect and deter non- compliance in the informal economy as well as developing initiatives providing help and support to businesses and individuals who wish to formalise their tax affairs.
	A direct taxes Hotline has been launched, with national publicity encouraging members of the public to report people operating in the informal economy.
	Nationally HM Revenue and Customs' Business Support Teams and Right Track teams aim to move economic activities into the formal economy, where they are supported to continue operating in fair competition with other legitimate businesses. Those individuals and businesses who wilfully operate in the informal economy are targeted by HMRC, on the basis of risk with criminal investigation and prosecution considered in more serious cases.

Inheritance Tax/Stamp Duty

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what estimate his Department has made of the amount of revenue which will be raised from inheritance tax in 200506;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the annual cost to public funds in terms of revenue foregone of abolishing inheritance tax.

Dawn Primarolo: An estimate of inheritance tax receipts in 200506 is given in table C8 of the Budget 2006 Red Book.
	Abolition of inheritance tax would result in the direct loss of this yield, and there may also be indirect effects on other taxes. These have not been quantified.

Inheritance Tax/Stamp Duty

Douglas Carswell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost of collection of inheritance tax was as a percentage of the total revenue from inheritance tax in each of the last five years.

Dawn Primarolo: The cost of collecting inheritance tax as a percentage of receipts is given, for each year from 200001 to 200405, in Table 1, Annex F of the HM Revenue and Customs Annual Report 200405.

Inheritance Tax/Stamp Duty

Andrew Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total tax revenue from (a) inheritance tax and (b) stamp duty was in the last year for which information is available, (i) broken down by the smallest geographical areas for which information is collected and (ii) per head in each area.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 29 March 2006
	Regional estimates of stamp duty revenues on residential property transactions for 200405, the latest year for which information is available, are available at:
	http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/stats/stamp_duty/table15_ 2_october04.xls.
	Estimates of average stamp duty paid for residential property purchases by Government Office Region were provided in response to a previous Parliamentary Question on 15 June 2005, Official Report, column 394W.
	A breakdown of inheritance tax receipts in 200405 for Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as England and Wales combined, is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Country Inheritance tax net receipts 200405 ( million) 
		
		
			 England and Wales 2,729 
			 Scotland 167 
			 Northern Ireland 26 
			 United Kingdom 2,922 
		
	
	Figures on the number of deaths by country are available from:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/Table1DeathRegistrations0204.xls (England  Wales);
	http://www.gro-scotland.gov.uk/files/death-tab12006.xls (Scotland,);
	http://www.nisranew.nisra.gov.uk/Uploads/publications/births_and_deaths_2005.pdf (Northern Ireland).

Madagascar

Paul Keetch: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many British tourists have visited Madagascar in the last 12 months.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 April 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question concerning how many British tourists have visited Madagascar in the last 12 months.
	Visits made abroad by UK residents are estimated from data collected on the International Passenger Survey (IPS). The survey is conducted at all major airports, and on major sea and tunnel routes. The data collected are weighted up to national estimates provided by CAA and BAA, Department for Transport, Eurotunnel and Eurostar.
	Because of the small number of interviews carried out with UK residents visiting Madagascar, the IPS is unable to provide reliable information for UK residents visits to Madagascar.

Manufacturing Industry

David Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the work force was employed in manufacturing in each region in each of the last five years.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the national statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 April 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about employment in manufacturing. (63523)
	The attached table shows the percentage of employee jobs in manufacturing in each region, for December of each year from 2001 to 2005.
	These estimates are from the Employee Jobs series, which is mainly based on surveys of employers. As with any sample survey, the results are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		Employee jobs in manufacturing, by region1, 2 United Kingdom, December of each year, 2001 to 2005, not seasonally adjusted
		
			 Percentage 
			 Government office region 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 North East 16.2 15.7 14.4 13.5 13.1 
			 North West 16.1 15.0 14.5 13.8 13.4 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 17.5 16.4 15.6 14.6 14.1 
			 East Midlands 20.3 19.5 18.3 17.4 16.9 
			 West Midlands 20.0 19.1 17.9 16.6 15.5 
			 East 14.4 13.6 12.8 12.1 11.7 
			 London 6.5 5.9 5.7 5.4 5.2 
			 South East 11.1 10.6 9.9 9.4 9.1 
			 South West 14.4 13.5 12.6 11.8 11.5 
			 Wales 17.3 16.8 15.9 15.3 14.7 
			 Scotland 12.4 11.6 10.5 10.1 9.8 
			 Northern Ireland 14.9 14.2 13.3 12.7 12.4 
			 United Kingdom 14.1 13.3 12.6 11.9 11.5 
		
	
	(244) Employee jobs in manufacturing as a percentage of all employee jobs.
	(245) Employee jobs are a measure of jobs rather than people. If a person holds two or more jobs, each job will be counted in the employee jobs figures. The employee jobs figures are derived from surveys of employers, and from administrative sources.
	Source:
	Employee Jobs series.

Manufacturing Industry

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what steps his Department has taken to increase the competitiveness of the UK manufacturing industry within Europe.

John Healey: The Government wants a successful, dynamic manufacturing sector producing value-added products and highly-skilled jobs. Raising productivity across the UK economyincluding in the manufacturing sectoris a key driver of long-term performance, and the Government are putting in place a series of interlinked policies designed to strengthen productivity. Within Europe, the UK is pursuing a programme of structural reform to strengthen growth, productivity and employment.

Medical Research Council Merger

Phil Willis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the expected cost is of merging the Medical Research Council and the NHS Health and Research Delivery Group.

Des Browne: The Chancellor announced in the Budget a review, led by Sir David Cocksey, to consider the best model and institutional arrangements for publicly-funded health research in the UK, based on a single, ring-fenced fund.

Minimum Hourly Pay

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the hourly rate of pay needed to lift a full-time employee over the poverty line if he or she is in a (a) single adult household, (b) dual adult household with no other worker and (c) dual adult household with two children and no other worker.

Dawn Primarolo: Latest estimates of the poverty line for a range of family types in Great Britain are published in Table 2.3 of 'Households Below Average Income', available on the DWP website at:
	http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/hbai/hbai2005/contents.asp
	Assessments of hourly rates of pay for a household with one full-time employee required to meet these thresholds depend on a number of assumptions including hours of employment, housing tenure, key outlays such as council tax, and access to other sources of income.
	For example, for single full-time (35 hours per week) earner LA tenant households in 200405 facing average council tax bills, with no sources of income other than their employment income, benefits and tax credits, the required wage rates would have been around:
	(a) 3 per hour for single adult households; and
	(b) 8 per hour for dual adult households (with and without children).
	The figures take account only of earnings, child benefit, tax credits, income support, housing and council tax benefits, less income tax, employee national insurance contributions and gross council tax liabilities; other components of net income before housing costs underpinning the DWP poverty line estimates have been omitted.

Mortality Rates

Shona McIsaac: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the mortality rates for (a) chronic lung disease, (b) cancer and (c) coronary heart disease were in (i) Cleethorpes constituency, (ii) Grimsby constituency, (iii) Scunthorpe constituency and (iv) Brigg and Goole constituency in (A) 1997 and (B) 2004.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 April 2006
	As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question concerning what the mortality rates for (a) chronic lung disease, (b) cancer and (c) coronary heart disease were in (i) Cleethorpes constituency, (ii) Grimsby constituency, (iii) Scunthorpe constituency and (iv) Brigg and Goole constituency in (A) 1997 and (B) 2004. (62655)
	Mortality rates for parliamentary constituencies cannot be provided for the years requested because population estimates are not available for these areas. Figures in the table below are provided for the local authorities which make up the requested constituencies. The figures for 1997 have been adjusted to take account of revisions to the International Classification of Diseases where appropriate.
	
		Death rates(246)from chronic lung disease, cancer and coronary heart disease(247) for the East Riding of Yorkshire, North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire local authorities,(248)1997 and 2004.(249)
		
			  Deaths per 100,000 population 
			  East Riding of Yorkshire North East Lincolnshire North Lincolnshire 
			  1997 2004 1997 2004 1997 2004 
		
		
			 Chronic lung disease 34.6 25.6 23.0 19.8 21.4 16.1 
			 Cancer 193.8 170.0 232.1 183.4 220.2 176.9 
			 Coronary heart disease 153.7 107.9 200.4 115.4 173.5 99.4 
		
	
	(246) Rates per 100,000 population standardised to the European Standard Population.
	(247) The causes of death for 2004 were defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10):
	Chronic lung disease (Chronic lower respiratory disease)ICD-10 J40-J47
	Cancer (malignant neoplasms)ICD-10 COO-C97
	Coronary heart diseaseICD-10120125
	Deaths were selected using the original underlying cause.
	The causes of death for 1997 were defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9).
	The following codes were used:
	Chronic lung disease (Chronic lower respiratory disease)ICD-9 490494, 496
	Cancer (malignant neoplasms)ICD-9 140208
	Coronary heart diseaseICD-9 410414
	The introduction of ICD-10 for coding cause of death in England and Wales in 2001 means that data for chronic lung disease and cancer are not completely comparable with data for years before this date. The effect of the change in classification in 2001 on deaths from these causes is described in a report published in May 2002:
	Office for National Statistics. Results of the ICD-10 bridge coding study, England and Wales, 1999. Health Statistics Quarterly 14 (2002), 7583.
	For chronic lung disease (chronic lower respiratory disease) and cancer (malignant neoplasms) the introduction of ICD-10 caused an increase of 3.2 per cent. and 2.3 per cent. respectively in the number of deaths coded to these conditions in England and Wales. Deaths in 1997 from these causes have been adjusted to provide rates which are comparable with those for 2004.
	(248) Usual residents of these areas.
	The local authority of the East Riding of Yorkshire comprises part of the Brigg and Goole constituency as well as parts of the constituencies of Beverley and Holderness, East Yorkshire, Haltemprice and Howden, and Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle.
	The local authority of North East Lincolnshire comprises part of the constituency of Cleethorpes and the whole of Great Grimsby constituency.
	The local authority of North Lincolnshire comprises the whole of Scunthorpe constituency and parts of the constituencies of Brigg and Goole and Cleethorpes.
	Deaths were assigned to these areas using the November 2005 All Fields Postcode Directory.
	(249) Deaths registered in each calendar year.

National Institute for Health Research

Phil Willis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what total resources will be allocated to the National Institute for Health Research in each of the first three years after it is established.

Des Browne: The Chancellor announced in the Budget a review to consider the best model and institutional arrangements for publicly-funded health research in the UK. Decisions on future spending on health research, like other spending decisions, will be made as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review.

National Insurance

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will exempt people from class 4 national insurance contributions when they reach pensionable age part way through the tax year on a proportionate basis; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The proposal would require the calculation of income tax and national insurance contributions on different profits on the part of the self- employed, which would add complexity to the system.

National Insurance

Hugo Swire: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent representations he has received from orchestras on national insurance contributions; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I have received correspondence from a number of MPs and met with various persons regarding this matter. HM Revenue and Customs are currently working with the Arts Council and their legal advisers to establish whether national insurance contributions are due in respect of musicians engaged by orchestras. On the basis of the contracts reviewed, HMRC have recently advised the Arts Council that soloists and conductors engaged under similar contracts are not liable for class 1 national insurance contributions. HM Revenue and Customs are still looking at the contracts for other types of musicians.

Non-Domestic Rates

Mark Prisk: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what expenditure on non-domestic rates was as a percentage of (a) turnover, (b) overheads and (c) profit of (i) all businesses in England and (ii) all businesses in England broken down by annual turnover of (A) less than 50,000, (B) 50,000 to 99,000, (C) 100,000 to 499,999, (D) 500,000 to 1,999,999, (E) 2,000,000 to 9,999,999, (F) 10,000,000 to 49,999,999, (G) 50,000,000 to 999,999,999 and (H) 1,000,000,000 or more in the last year for which figures are available.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 April 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking for expenditure on national non-domestic rates by businesses in England, by turnover band, as percentages of turnover, overheads and profit. (63808)
	Our annual structural business inquiry, which covers most of the economy but excludes some sectors such as finance, collects data. on non-domestic rates. The latest figures available for England alone relate to 2003. Figures for turnover are collected, but not for overheads or profit. The table below shows non-domestic rates as a percentage of turnover. Corresponding figures for purchases (as the largest cost element most businesses face) and gross value added (which includes profit but also other items such as labour costs) are also included.
	
		
			 Turnover band Non-domestic rates as a percentage of turnover Non-domestic rates as a percentage of purchases Non-domestic rates as a percentage of gross value added 
		
		
			 Less than 50,000 1.5 2.1 4.3 
			 50,000 to 99,999 1.1 2.1 2.2 
			 100,000 to 499,999 1.1 1.9 2.8 
			 500,000 to 1,999,999 1.1 1.7 3.0 
			 2,000,000 to 9,999,999 0.9 1.4 2.6 
			 10,000,000 to 49,999,999 0.7 1.1 2.3 
			 50,000,000 to 999,999,999 0.5 0.7 1.8 
			 1,000,000,000 or more 0.1 0.1 0.7 
		
	
	Further details of the coverage of the annual business inquiry are given at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/methods_quality/sic/structure_sectiona_b.asp#sectiona; definitions of the variables at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/abi/variable_info.asp and methodology at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/abi/backgrouhd_info.asp.
	The annual structural business inquiry is a sample survey so the figures are subject to sampling error. This is likely to be greater for the figures relating to small businesses than for businesses in the larger turnover bands.

Part-time Workers

Shona McIsaac: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which 25 constituencies had the highest percentage of part-time workers at the latest date for which figures are available, listed in descending order; and how many part-time workers there were in each of those constituencies.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 April 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about percentages of part time workers by parliamentary constituency. (62654)
	The attached table shows the twenty-five parliamentary constituencies with the highest percentages of part-time workers, these percentages and the number of part time workers in these constituencies. The data are from the Annual Population Survey, and cover the period January to December 2004.
	These estimates, as with any from sample surveys, are subject to a margin of uncertainty.
	
		Table 1: Numbers of part-time workers in the 25 parliamentary constituencies with the highest percentages of part-time workersJanuary to December 2004
		
			 Constituency Percentage of part-time workers Numbers of part-time workers (thousands) 
		
		
			 Sheffield, Hallam 39.1 13 
			 Totnes 37.5 15 
			 Swansea West 37.3 13 
			 Lewes 36.8 15 
			 St. Ives 36.0 15 
			 North Devon 35.6 16 
			 East Devon 35.6 14 
			 Leeds North West 35.3 14 
			 Arundel and South Downs 35.2 17 
			 Teignbridge 34.3 19 
			 Bridgwater 34.3 15 
			 South West Devon 34.2 17 
			 Isle of Wight 34.1 20 
			 West Dorset 33.7 14 
			 East Hampshire 33.6 18 
			 Wealden 33.4 17 
			 Torbay 33.4 14 
			 Suffolk Coastal 33.3 15 
			 Hexham 33.2 11 
			 Romsey 33.1 17 
			 Lancaster and Wyre 32.9 14 
			 Westmorland and Lonsdale 32.9 14 
			 Bexhill and Battle 32.8 13 
			 Great Yarmouth 32.7 13 
			 Worthing West 32.7 12 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Estimates are subject to sampling variability.
	2. Constituencies are listed in descending order of percentage of part-time workers.
	Source:
	Annual Population Survey

Pay Statistics (Wirral, West)

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average earnings were of full-time employees in Wirral, West constituency in April of each year since 1997.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Jim Matheson, dated 18 April 2006
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question to ask what the average earnings of full-time employees in Wirral West constituency were in April in each year since 1997. I am replying in her absence.
	Average earnings are estimated from the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE), and are provided for full-time employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. This is the standard definition used for ASHE. The ASHE does not collect data on the self-employed and people who do unpaid work.
	I attach tables showing Average Gross Weekly Earnings by parliamentary constituency for the years 1997 to 2005 for full-time Employees on Adult Rates. These statistics are also available on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=13101.
	The ASHE, carried out in April of each year, is the most comprehensive source of earnings information in the United Kingdom. It is a one per. cent sample of all employees who are members of pay-as-you-earn (PAYE) schemes.
	
		Gross weekly pay for full-time employee jobs(250)by place of work
		
			  
			 Wirral West Median Mean 
		
		
			 1997 **287 **367 
			 1998 **300 **377 
			 1999 **351 **420 
			 2000 **295 **373 
			 2001 **330 *414 
			 2002 **349 *410 
			 2003 **395 **479 
			 2004 **355 *435 
			 2004(250) **312 *432 
			 2005 **424 *527 
		
	
	(250) Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence.
	(251) Includes supplementary survey details.
	Guide to quality:
	The coefficient of variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality.
	The true value is likely to lie within  twice the CV e.g. for an average of 200 with a CV of 5%, we would expect a population average to be within range 180220.
	Key:
	CV=5%
	* CV5% and =10%
	** CV10% and =20%
	Notes:
	The median replaces the mean as the headline statistic. The weighted mean is the sum of the weighted values divided by the sum of weights. The median is the value below which 50 per. cent of employees fall. It is preferred over the mean for earnings data as it is influenced less by extreme values and because of the skewed distribution of earnings data.
	Source:
	Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Office for National Statistics
	
		Gross weekly pay for full-time employee jobs(252) by place of residence
		
			  
			 Wirral West Median Mean 
		
		
			 1997 n/a n/a 
			 1998 n/a n/a 
			 1999 n/a n/a 
			 2000 n/a n/a 
			 2001 n/a n/a 
			 2002 **438 **503 
			 2003 *438 *512 
			 2004 *436 *523 
			 2004(253) *438 *524 
			 2005 *468 *586 
		
	
	n/a. Data not collected before 2002
	(252) Employees on adult rates whose pay for the survey pay-period was not affected by absence.
	(253) Includes supplementary survey details.
	Guide to quality:
	The coefficient of variation (CV) indicates the quality of a figure, the smaller the CV value the higher the quality.
	The true value is likely to lie within  twice the CV e.g. for an average of 200 with a CV of 5%, we would expect a population average to be within range 180220.
	Key:
	CV=5%
	* CV5% and =10%
	** CV10% and =20%
	Notes:
	The median replaces the mean as the headline statistic. The weighted mean is the sum of the weighted values divided by the sum of weights. The median is the value below which 50 per. cent of employees fall. It is preferred over the mean for earnings data as it is influenced less by extreme values and because of the skewed distribution of earnings data.
	Source:
	Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, Office for National Statistics

PAYE Coding

Justine Greening: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many separate pay as you earn coding notices were sent to taxpayers in (a) 200304, (b) 200405 and (c) 200506; and if he will make a statement.

Ivan Lewis: HMRC estimates the numbers of PAYE coding notices sent to taxpayers to be:
	
		
			  Number of coding notices sent (million) 
		
		
			 200304 21.6 
			 200405 21.8 
			 200506 23.4

Personal Debt

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the average levels of personal debt of those aged 25 to 35 were in each of the last two years for which figures are available.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have been asked to reply.
	Official statistics on levels of personal debt are not collected in a way that would enable debt of those aged between 25 and 35 to be calculated. Statistics on total borrowing levels within the UK are available in a quarterly over-indebtedness monitoring paper published on the DTI website (http://www.dti.gov.uk/ ccp/topics1/overindebtedness.htm).Total borrowing by individuals stood at 1.2 trillion in February 2006, compared with 1.1 trillion in February 2005.
	Survey work provides some information regarding the distribution of problem debt between age groups. The most relevant and recent survey work in this area is the Over-Indebtedness in Britain survey undertaken by MORI Financial Services in 2004, which found those in the age group of 2534 were more likely to be more than three months in arrears on borrowing than other age groups. The full survey results are available on the DTI website (http://www.dti. gov.uk/ccp/topicsl/pdf1/dcbtd tionmori.pdf).
	The upcoming Wealth and Assets Survey, which has been jointly commissioned by a number of Government Departments, will provide extensive information on the financial position of individuals. This survey will aim to track the financial position of individuals over time, and would enable such analysis to be undertaken. This survey is currently in the pilot stage, with the first results expected in 2007.

Population

Diana Johnson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the population of each ward in Kingston upon Hull North constituency based on (a) the 2001 Census, (b) electoral rolls and (c) health service users; and what projections he has made for the next five years;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the accuracy of census figures for Kingston upon Hull North constituency in each of the last two censuses; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 April 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your questions concerning the current population of each ward in the Kingston upon Hull North constituency based on (a) the 2001 Census, (b) electoral rolls and (c) health service users; and projections for the next five years and also the accuracy of census figures for Kingston upon Hull North constituency in each of the last two censuses. (62862, 62863)
	The attached table provides the information requested in the first question. The most recent ward population estimates for Kingston upon Hull North constituency are for mid-2002. The closest available geography to current electoral wards, for which population estimates are available, is Census Area Statistics (CAS) wards. This geography was created for outputs from the 2001 Census and is based mainly on 2003 electoral wards. The CAS ward level population estimates have been published with the status of experimental statistics. Therefore, the estimates should be treated with some care.
	The latest available ward electorate counts are for December 2004. The ward electorate counts are for parliamentary electors, including attainers. Local government electorate counts are not available at ward level.
	It should be noted that the number of people eligible to vote is not the same as the resident population aged 18 and over. There are numerous reasons for this. For example not everyone who is usually resident is entitled to vote (foreign citizens from outside of the EU and Commonwealth, prisoners, etc. are not eligible), some people do not register to vote and people who have more than one address may register in more than one place. Further, there is inevitably some double counting of the registered electorate as electoral registration officers vary in how quickly they remove people from the registers after they have moved away from an area or after they have died. These factors have a differential impact from area to area.
	The latest available ward patient register counts are for July 2004. It should be noted that patient register counts differ from estimates of the usually resident population for a number of reasons. Patient registers include people who are in the country for at least three months, whereas population estimates are based on a usual residence definition requiring a stay of 12 months or more. The patient registers exclude individuals who are ineligible to be registered with a GP.
	People may be on a patient register after having left the country and not deregistered with their GP; similarly people may have moved to another area and not re-registered. Some patients may have more than one NHS number e.g. they may have been issued a temporary number for a short period. Again, these factors have a differential impact from place to place. The ONS does not produce projections of population at ward level.
	Official assessments of the quality of the 1991 Census were published in the 1991 Census General Report (ISBN 0116916168) and User Guide 58 (Undercoverage in Great Britain). These were carried out at national level and no assessment of quality was made for individual Local Authorities. The General Report is held in the House of Commons Library and User Guide 58 may be obtained from Census Customer Services at: census.customerservices@ons.gov.uk
	The 1991 Census Validation Survey assessed the coverage of the Census and the quality of the Census information recorded about those people who were successfully enumerated. The 1991 Census Validation Survey: Quality Report (ISBN 0116916885) and 1991 Census Validation Survey: Coverage Report (ISBN 0116915919) are held in the, House of Commons Library.
	Following the 2001 Census for England and Wales, ONS undertook an extensive programme of work to investigate the reasons for the difference between the 2001 Census and the mid-year population estimates (MYEs) at both national and local levels. This research included a series of Local Authority studies carried out in 2004 which were designed to improve the MYEs in the areas that proved hardest to count in the Census. An extensive review was carried out for 32 local authorities to assess whether there was evidence that the population might have been under- or over-estimated. Included in this review was the Local Authority of Kingston upon Hull.
	The results of the 2004 Local Authority studies showed that for the great majority of areas, the 2001 Census-based population estimate remains the best estimate of the population. However, the 2004 Local Authority studies also concluded that better estimates of the population could be made in 15 local authority areas and an adjustment was made to the MYEs in these areas. Kingston upon Hull was one of these areas and an adjustment to the population of just under 6,600 persons was made in September 2004. A full report on these Local Authority Studies can be found at: www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/LAStudy_FullReport.pdf
	The detailed report for Kingston upon Hull can be found at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/downloads/theme_population/LAStudy_Kingston_upon_Hull.pdf
	The Census 2001 Quality report for England and Wales provides information about all aspects of quality relating to the 2001 Census. It provides an overview of the quality issues and the studies and analyses that have been carried out to improve the quality of census data. The Quality report is held in the House of Commons Library or can be downloaded from: www.statistics.gov.uk/census2001/proj_qr.asp
	Additional information about the quality of results from the 2001 Census for local areas can be found at: www.statistics.gov.uk/census200l/stat_methods_qual.asp
	
		Wards in Kingston upon Hull North constituency: population estimates, electorate counts (December 2004), and patient register counts (July 2004)
		
			 Ward name Population estimate mid-2002 Parliamentary electors December 2004 Patient register July 2004 
		
		
			 Avenue 12,500 9,140 13,577 
			 Beverley 8,600 6,731 8,620 
			 Bransholme East 10,100 6,017 10,050 
			 Bransholme West(254) 8,700 5,948 8,893 
			 Bricknell 8,200 6,372 8,486 
			 Holderness(254) 13,600 10,150 13,628 
			 Kings Park 6,800 6,023 7,589 
			 Newland 10,000 5,610 10,445 
			 Orchard Park and Greenwood 14,000 9,193 14,762 
			 Sutton(254) 13,100 9,589 13,274 
			 University 9,800 5,896 11,385 
		
	
	(254) These wards also fall within a neighbouring constituency, data for the whole ward are shown.
	Notes:
	1. The mid-2002 ward population estimates are consistent with the published mid-2002 local authority estimates (September 2004 revisions) and have been rounded to the nearest 100.
	2. Parliamentary electors are those people who are entitled to vote in parliamentary elections at Westminster and who meet the residence qualification. Those include overseas voters but exclude Peers and European citizens.
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics

Population Estimates

Stewart Jackson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to ask the Office of National Statistics to review its methodology in respect of population estimates in order to take into account immigration to the United Kingdom from European Union accession countries since May 2004; and if he will make a statement.

John Healey: The National Statistics Centre for Demography within the Office for National Statistics (ONS) is already actively monitoring the estimates of international migration used in the population estimates to ensure that they continue to reflect migration from the Accession countries.
	Through the National Statistics Quality Review (NSQR) of international migration and the Improving Migration and Population Statistics project, ONS are researching ways to improve their international migration estimates at both the national and local level. As well as Home Office data on asylum seekers and visitor switchers, ONS are also currently investigating how data from the WRS might be used to inform estimates of immigration from EU accession countries. The latest progress report on the NSQR can be found at:
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/about/data/methodology/quality/reviews/population.asp.
	Full details of the calculation of international migration and population estimates in general are published in our methodology guide 'Making a Population Estimate in England and Wales':
	http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=575.

Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what proportion of members of the Principal Civil Service pension scheme in his Department joined the scheme before the age of (a) 20, (b) 25, (c) 30, (d) 35, (e) 40, (f) 45 and (g) over 45 years old.

John Healey: The information requested can be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the current employer contribution rates to the Principal Civil Service pension scheme are; what assumed rate of return underlies those contribution rates; and what the contribution rate would be if the assumed rate of return was in line with current redemption yield on index-linked gilts.

Des Browne: Employer contributions from 1 April 2006 for members of the PCSPS classic, classic plus and premium schemes are:
	
		
			  Salary band Percentage rate of charge 
		
		
			 Band 1 18,500 and under 17.1 
			 Band 2 18,501 to 38,000 19.5 
			 Band 3 38,001 to 65,000 23.2 
			 Band 4 65,001 and over 25.5 
		
	
	For the PCSPS Partnership the rates are:
	
		
			 Employees age at start of tax year Percentage of pensionable earnings 
		
		
			 Under 21 3.0 
			 2125 4.5 
			 2630 6.5 
			 3135 8.0 
			 3640 10.0 
			 4145 11.5 
			 46 and over 12.5 
		
	
	The assumed rate of return is 3.5 per cent. in real terms.
	For the last part of the question the information can be obtained only at a disproportionate cost.

Private Contractors (Employees)

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the proportion of people paid less than 6.50 per hour who are working for private sector companies contracted to work for the public sector; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: It is not possible from available survey data to identify those employed indirectly in the public sector (including employees of private sector companies contracted to work for the public sector). Government policy on public sector pay is devolved to individual Departments who each hold administrative records in respect of their directly employed staff, and any records in respect of contracts with private sector service providers.

Public Sector Employees

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many employees who work for the public sector were being paid less than 6.50 per hour in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Des Browne: The best source for this information is the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) collected by the Office for National Statistics. The ASHE, however, is unable to provide estimates of the number of people earning below these thresholds on a statistically reliable basis. Only proportions of people are available, for which the figures are as follows:
	
		
			  Percentage of public sector employees who earn less than 6.50 per hour 
		
		
			 2001 26 
			 2002 24 
			 2003 20 
			 2004 17 
			 2005 13 
		
	
	Notes:
	Figures based on gross hourly earnings excluding overtime for all employees on adult rate of pay whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence. Figures relate to the UK.

Tax Credits

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many cases of overpayment for (a) child and (b) working tax credit there have been in Coventry to date.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to the hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mrs. Dorries) on 10 October 2005, Official Report, column 322W.
	Estimates for 200405 of the numbers of in-work families with tax credits awards, including information on overpayments and underpayments by constituency, based on final family circumstances and incomes for 200405 are due to be published in May 2006.
	We do not produce statistics separately for overpayments of child and working tax credits.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what mechanism his Department has in place to allow tax credit claimants to end their claims if they no longer wish to receive tax credits, despite a continuing entitlement to them;
	(2)  how many tax credit claimants requested to end their tax credit claim despite being entitled to the award in (a) 200304, (b) 200405 and (c) 200506.

Dawn Primarolo: Tax credit claimants can amend or withdraw their claims at any time before HMRC have made a decision whether to make an award. Once a decision is made to award tax credits, that support remains in place until either the claim is renewed after the end of the tax year or comes to an end in-year, for example where there is a change in the number of adults in the household or someone getting working tax credit becomes unemployed.
	Information is not available on the number of claimants who have asked to withdraw their claim.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many staff have been working on compliance in the tax credits system in each month since April 2003; how many have been allocated for the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: It is not our policy to disclose the details of the numbers of staff engaged in tackling serious and organised criminality as to do so could provide assistance to those engaged in criminal activity.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many disabled adults have claimed tax credits in each month since April 2003.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 31 January 2006, Official Report, column 414W.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the results of the 2005 Northern Ireland tax credits Living Together pilot; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: HMRC run various pilots intended to identify better ways of working. The findings are used to determine whether better internal procedures can be introduced. It would be inappropriate to disclose detailed information about any new processes designed to tackle compliance risk.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the number of staff who will be employed administering tax credits at HM Revenue and Customs for each year from 200304 to 200708.

Dawn Primarolo: Approximate figures for staff allocated to tax credits work in 200304 and 200405 are published in the Standard Report accompanying the Inland Revenue Annual Accounts for 200405.
	Figures for HM Revenue and Customs for 200506 to 200708 are not available.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many claims for tax credits for severely disabled adults were made in each month from January 2004 to February 2006; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 31 January 2006, Official Report, column 414W.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many joint claims for tax credits have been terminated and replaced by two single claims in each quarter since April 2003; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is not available.

Tax Credits

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many outstanding cases of tax credit overpayment his Department is pursuing; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: There were around 726,000 direct recovery overpayment cases outstanding at the end of March 2006.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate is of the number of staff at the (a) Department of Work and Pensions and its agencies and (b) his Department and its agencies who have had their identities used in tax credit fraud since 1 January 2004; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member for Yeovil to the statement I made to the house on 18 January 2006, Official Report, column 1357W.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his latest estimate is of the cost of tax credit fraud in (a) 200304, (b) 200405, (c) 200506 to date and (d) 6 April 2005 to 30 March 2006; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply I gave to him on 24 January 2006, Official Report, column 2049W.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the value of overpaid tax credits written off in each month from October 2005 to February 2006; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: For the value of tax credit overpayments written off by HM Revenue and Customs in October and November 2005, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave the hon. Member for Wycombe (Mr. Goodman) on 26 January 2006, Official Report, columns 224950W.
	The value of tax credit overpayments written off from December 2005 to February 2006 were around:
	
		
			 Month 200506 Amount written off (000) 
		
		
			 December 2005 1,400 
			 January 2006 2,200 
			 February 2006 1,900

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many letters were received by HM Revenue and Customs between April 2003 and February 2006 on tax credits; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The information requested is not available.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when staff of HM Revenue and Customs first raised with ministers the possibility of closing the tax credits e-portal; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Gentlemen to the reply I gave to him on 10 January 2006, Official Report, column 550W.

Tax Credits

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what recent assessment he has made of the scale of fraud in the tax credits system.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer to the reply I gave to the hon. Member on 24 January 2006, Official Report, column 2049W.

Tax Relief

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what estimate he has made of the total amount of (a) tax relief given to top rate income tax payers in (i) 200506 and (ii) 200607 and (b) the reduction in tax expenditure were such tax relief available as a maximum only at the basic rate of income tax in each year.

Dawn Primarolo: The information is not readily available.

Tax Returns

Philip Dunne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether HM Revenue and Customs is entitled to refuse to issue a receipt to an agent submitting a tax return on behalf of a client.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him in respect of question 58409 on 14 March 2006, Official Report, column 2134W.

Telephone Numbers

Anne Milton: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the (a) 0845, (b) 0800 and (c) 0870 telephone numbers for the public administered by (i) his Department and (ii) agencies which report to him.

John Healey: I refer the hon. Member to the answers I gave to the hon. Member for Twickenham (Dr. Cable) on 22 November 2005, Official Report, column 1902W and 15 December 2005, Official Report, column 2260W.
	(a) It is estimated that over 500 individual 0845 numbersavailable for public useare administered by, or on behalf of, the Chancellor's Departments and agencies. A comprehensive list of all numbers involved is not readily available and could be compiled only at disproportionate cost.
	(b) 0800 numbers are listed in the following table:
	
		
			 Number Description Administered by 
		
		
			 0800 788 887 Anti-Fraud (Business) Helpline HMRC 
			 0800 595 000 Customs Confidential HMRC 
			 0800 056 0585 Special Needs Line (National Savings and Investments) National Savings 
			 0800 376 9232 Computershare (to obtain brochure investing in giltsa private investors guide DMO 
			 0800 298 5313 Public Enquiry Line ONS 
			 0800 092 3446 Labour Force Survey ONS 
			 0800 092 3447 Labour Force Survey ONS 
			 0800 092 3448 Labour Force Survey ONS 
			 0800 015 1101 Labour Force Survey ONS 
		
	
	(c) 0870 numbers are listed in the following table:
	
		
			 Number Description Administered by 
		
		
			 0870 010 0523 IR35 International Number HMRC 
			 0870 155 5445 International SA Helpline/Orderline HMRC 
			 0870 155 5664 SA International Orderline HMRC 
			 0870 155 5778 CTSA/CIS International Orderline Fax HMRC 
			 0870 156 6371 Tax Credits (Overseas) HMRC 
			 0870 156 6372 Tax Credits (Overseas) HMRC 
			 0870 156 6374 Tax Credits (Overseas) HMRC 
			 0870 240 6298 CSLHelp for Borrowers HMRC 
			 0870 240 6406 Employers Orderline Fax HMRC 
			 0870 300 0551 CTSA/CIS International Orderline HMRC 
			 0870 702 0003 Computershare (General Enquiries) DMO 
			 0870 703 0143 Computershare (Gilts Helpline) DMO 
		
	
	There are no 0845, 0800 or 0870 telephone numbers for the public that are administered by HM Treasury.

Unemployment

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the unemployment rate for (a) men and (b) women in (i) England, (ii) the North East, (iii) the Tees Valley and (iv) Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency was in each year since 1997.

John Healey: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Karen Dunnell, dated 18 April 2006
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your Parliamentary Question about unemployment. (62836)
	The Office for National Statistics (ONS) compiles statistics of unemployment for local areas from the annual local area Labour Force Survey (LFS) and Annual Population Survey (APS) following International Labour Organisation definitions. Official unemployment estimates for countries and Government Office Regions are available from the quarterly Labour Force Survey but, on this occasion, the annual LFS and APS data for England and the North East are presented in order to be directly comparable with the estimates for the smaller areas.
	Table 1 shows unemployment rates for England, the North East, the Tees Valley (here defined as comprising the unitary authorities Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland, Stockton on Tees and Darlington) and the Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland parliamentary constituency. The estimates shown are for each 12 months ending February 1998 to February 2004, from the annual LFS, and for the 12 months to March 2005 from the APS.
	These estimates, as with any from sample surveys, are subject to a margin of uncertainty. Changes in the estimates from year-to-year should be treated with particular caution.
	ONS also compiles statistics for local areas of people claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA). Table 2 shows the annual average number of JSA claimants as proportions of the resident working age population, for England, the North East, the Tees Valley and Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland parliamentary constituency, for the calendar years 1997 to 2005.
	
		Table 1: Unemployment rates (percentages) for men and women in England, the North East, the Tees Valley and Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland parliamentary constituency
		
			  England North East Tees Valley Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland 
			 12 months ending: Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women 
		
		
			 February 1998 7.3 5.7 10.9 7.0 11.2 7.8 7.6 4.6 
			 February 1999 6.5 5.1 9.7 6.3 10.9 6.1 9.8 7 1 
			 February 2000 6.1 5.2 10.5 8.0 14.0 8.5 10.8 3.6 
			 February 2001 5.5 4.5 9.1 6.3 10.5 7.3 8.4 6.0 
			 February 2002 5.2 4.3 8.7 5.7 9.4 6.4 9.5 6.1 
			 February 2003 5.4 4.4 8.0 5.1 9.3 5.9 9.6 6.7 
			 February 2004 5.2 4.4 7.9 5.3 8.5 6.0 6.9 5.3 
			 March 2005 4.9 4.2 6.6 5.1 7.3 4.5 7.5 4.4 
		
	
	Source:
	Annual local area Labour Force Survey/Annual Population Survey
	
		Table 2: Numbers of claimants of jobseeker's allowance as percentages of the working age population for men and women in England, the North East, the Tees Valley and Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland parliamentary constituency
		
			  England North East Tees Valley Middlesbrough, South and East Cleveland 
			 Calendar year Men Women Men Women Men Women Men Women 
		
		
			 1997 6.4 2.2 9.3 2.5 11.2 3.0 9.1 2.6 
			 1998 5.4 1.8 8.4 2.3 10.3 2.7, 8.2 2.3 
			 1999 5.0 1.7 8.0 2.2 9.8 2.6 7.7 2.2 
			 2000 4.3 1.5 7.3 2.0 9.0 2.3 7.4 2.0 
			 2001 3.8 1.3 6.4 1.7 7.7 2.0 6.4 1.8 
			 2002 3.6 1.3 5.8 1.6 7.1 1.9 5.9 1.7 
			 2003 3.6 1.3 5.2 1.6 6.4 1.8 5.4 1.5 
			 2004 3.2 1.2 4.5 1.4 5.6 1.6 4.5 1.4 
			 2005 3.3 1.3 4.4 1.4 5.3 1.6 4.3 1.3 
		
	
	Source:
	Jobcentre Plus administrative system

Valuation Office Agency

Eric Pickles: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) has paid to EDS in each year since 1997; and what role EDS plays in providing services to the VOA.

Dawn Primarolo: The Valuation Office Agency no longer holds data in a readily accessible form for the financial years prior to 1999. In the financial years from 19992000 to 200405 the Agency paid to EDS the following amounts:
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 19992000 11.3 
			 200001 9.9 
			 200102 8.0 
			 200203 9.1 
			 200304 13.8 
			 200405 (to June 2004 only) 4.0

Value Added Tax

David Amess: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whom he consulted before reducing value added tax on emergency contraception; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer to hon. Member to the regulatory impact assessment on the reduced rate of VAT for contraceptive products, published in 'Budget 2006 regulatory impact assessments', and available from the House of Commons Library or www.hm-treasury.gov.uk./media/1E6/1B/bud06_rias_896.pdf

Value Added Tax

John Penrose: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he plans to change the rules under which (a) goods which have been repaired abroad and reimported bear no VAT and (b) goods which have been replaced as faulty abroad and reimported bear full VAT.

Dawn Primarolo: The Chancellor of the Exchequer has no plans to change the current treatment for import VAT purposes of goods exported for repair that are replaced. Any goods imported as replacements for those previously exported for repair are treated as new imports as they cannot fulfil the conditions of Section 126 of the VAT Regulations 1995. Therefore, for replacement goods, import VAT is payable on the full import value in accordance with the normal valuation rules.

Value Added Tax

David Laws: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the cost to his Department has been of (a) all VAT fraud and (b) missing trader VAT fraud in each year from 200102 to 200506; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Estimates of total VAT revenue lossesthe VAT gap and missing trader VAT fraud, between 200102 and 200405, are available in the paper Measuring Indirect Tax Losses, published in December 2005. HMRC do not produce forecasts of VAT fraud, so an estimate for 200506 is not available.

VED (Low Emission Vehicles)

John Penrose: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria he used in deciding that cars with carbon dioxide emissions below 100g/km, and motorcycles with carbon dioxide emissions below 100g/km would attract a different rate of vehicle excise duty.

John Healey: The Chancellor considers all relevant environmental, social and economic factors when setting VED rates. Car VED bands are currently structured by CO 2 emissions with six VED bands for cars registered after March 2001 (Band A-F) and seven VED bands for cars registered after March 2006 (Band A-G). Motorcycle VED rates are set according to the engine size. CO 2 emissions data is currently not available for motorcycles at first registration.

Wildlife Souvenirs

Mike Hancock: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many wildlife souvenirs have been seized by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs in each year since 2000, broken down by (i) item, (ii) species from which the item was derived and (iii) country of origin.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, North (Joan Walley) on 28 March 2006, Official Report, column 978W.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Academic Staff (Earnings)

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average annual earnings of full-time members of the academic staff of (a) universities in England, (b) the University of York and (c) the University College of York St. John was in (i) cash and (ii) real terms in (A) 1997 and (B) the latest year for which figures are available.

Bill Rammell: The latest information, showing the changes between 1997/98 and 2002/03, is given in the following table. Significant changes were made to the content, structure, coverage and definitions of the source data in 2003/04 which means that the figures for 2004/05 are not directly comparable with those for earlier years.
	
		Average salary(255) of full-time higher education academic staff with teaching responsibilities
		
			Percentage change 1997/98 to 2002/03 
			  1997/98 2002/03 Cash terms Real terms(256) 2004/05 
		
		
			 All HE institutions in England  
			 Professors 46,400 56,300 +21 +9 59,100 
			 Senior Lecturers 35,600 40,800 +15 +3 41,500 
			 Lecturers 26,400 31,700 +20 +7 33,000 
			 University of York  
			 Professors 42,000 52,200 +24 +11 56,700 
			 Senior Lecturers 33,500 39,500 +18 +6 41,800 
			 Lecturers 25,200 30,000 +19 +7 32,500 
			   
			 University College of York St. John  
			 Professors n/a n/a   43,600 
			 Senior lecturers 30,100 37,800 +25 +12 40,700 
			 Lecturers 24,700 31,600 +28 +14 33,700 
		
	
	(255) The HESA Staff Record changed markedly in structure, coverage and content in 2003/04. In addition, the definition of salary changed. This means that average salaries for 2003/04 and later years are not directly comparable with those for earlier years. For the years up to 2002/03, salary represented the monies received in respect of institutional duties actually being paid on the date of the HESA staff count (31 July) or for those who have left during the year, the salary on leaving, including any regular payments for additional duties, responsibility allowances or honoraria regardless of their source. In 2003/04, the salary represented the gross basic salary per annum, in pounds sterling as stated in the contract at the reference date of HESA's staff count or at the end date of the contract if earlier, excluding any regular payments for additional duties, responsibility allowances or honoraria, regardless of their source. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100.
	(256) The real terms change has been derived by uprating the 1997/98 actual salary to 2002/03 values (by using the Retail Price Index (RPI), excluding mortgage interest payments, for September 2002), and then comparing this with the actual salaries in 2002/03.
	Source:
	The Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA)'s Staff Record.

Age Weighted Pupil Unit

Natascha Engel: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the most recent level was of the Age Weighted Pupil Unit for three and four year olds funded by her Department to schools.

Bill Rammell: The Department does not set an Age Weighted Pupil Unit (AWPU) for three and four year olds. Within the formula for School Formula Spending Shares for 200506, the basic unit of funding for each full time equivalent three or four year old was 2,892. There is no separate unit of funding for children under five within the formula used to allocate Dedicated Schools Grant for 200607 and 200708all pupils in a local authority attract the same unit of funding. It is for local authorities to decide, in consultation with their Schools Forums, how to allocate funding for three and four year olds from their Schools Budgetin doing so, the Government encourages them to fund all providers fairly, transparently and equitably. Where three and four year olds are in nursery provision in maintained schools, local authorities will fund them through their schools funding formula, and will therefore set an AWPU for them.

Autistic Spectrum Disorders

David Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps she is taking to ensure a sufficient supply of teachers specially trained to support pupils with autistic spectrum disorders.

Bill Rammell: The Department projects the overall demand for new teachers using the Teacher Supply Model which takes into account a wide range of factors such as projected pupil numbers, teacher wastage, retirements and new curriculum pressures. The number of places for initial teacher training (ITT) made available each year is informed by this model. The number of places allocated for 2006/07 is 32,800 and 31,300 for 2007/08. In addition, we expect that recruitment to employment based routes will be in approximately 7,000. The Department also provides a number of financial incentives to encourage more graduates to enter the teaching profession.
	In order to be awarded Qualified Teacher Status (QTS), all trainee teachers must demonstrate that they understand their responsibilities under the statutory Special Educational Needs (SEN) Code of Practice, know how to seek advice from specialists where necessary, and can differentiate their teaching to meet the needs of pupils, including those with SEN.
	The National Standards for QTS and for the Induction Programme for Newly Qualified Teachers both cover SEN, which would include Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). NQTs are required to demonstrate that they can plan effectively to meet the needs of pupils in their class with SEN, with or without a statement, and in consultation with the school's SEN Co-ordinator, contribute to the preparation and implementation of individual pupils' education plans or the equivalent.
	The Department is working with the Training and Development Agency for Schools to take forward a range of specific initiatives designed to improve the skills and confidence of trainee, newly qualified, and established teachers in supporting pupils with SEN and disabilities. In addition, all schools have a School Development Grant that they can use, among other things, for the purposes of supporting the continuing professional development of teachers in relation to their understanding and knowledge of SEN and disability issues. A wide variety of courses are available covering SEN, including ASDs, ranging from awareness-raising through to in-depth studies leading to specific qualifications. It is, however, a matter for individual teachers and their schools to determine their own particular training and development needs.
	In 2002 we issued, in partnership with the Department of Health, Autistic Spectrum Disorders Good Practice Guidance, which offered a series of pointers to good practice aimed at schools, teachers and SENCOs.

Child Care

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many child care places (a) became available and (b) were lost in each year since 1997, broken down by (i) source of place and (ii) cause of loss.

Bill Rammell: The following tables show the number and types of child care places that have opened and closed each year in England since 1998. Data prior to 1998 are not available. Data on the causes of closure are not available.
	The data provided are drawn from two data sets. From 1998 to 2003 data are derived from local authority returns covering both registered and unregistered provision. From March 2003 data have been provided by Ofsted. The two sets of data are not on a consistent basis as Ofsted data cover registered provision only.
	Ofsted data on closures include registered places in settings which are transferring ownership, and in settings which move from one Ofsted category to another, not just in those which are ceasing trading. For example, if a full daycare provider moved to offering sessional provision, this would be recorded as a 'closed' full daycare setting and an 'opened' sessional daycare setting. The Ofsted data therefore exaggerates the true extent of turnover.
	
		Table 1: Data provided by local authorities
		
			  1998/99 1999/2000 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 
		
		
			 Opened 66,210 133,028 168,226 139,753 185,394 
			 Child minders n/a 39,961 47,159 44,446 56,284 
			 Full Daycare 19,222 29,089 33,997 29,310 35,716 
			 Out of school 46,988 63,978 87,070 65,997 93,394 
			   
			 Closed 13,242 65,230 81,229 56,974 98,074 
			 Child minders n/a 43,826 51,010 36,451 62,071 
			 Full Daycare 3,844 11,830 12,608 7,556 12,130 
			 Out of school 9,398 9,574 17,611 12,967 23,873 
			 Net Change 52,968 67,798 86,997 82,779 87,320 
		
	
	
		Table 2 : Data provided by Ofsted
		
			  2003/04 2004/05 March 2005/December 2005 
		
		
			 Opened 238,596 254,126 160,970 
			 Child minders 62,781 53,028 36,997 
			 Full Daycare 98,632 117,614 66,629 
			 Out of school 77,183 83,484 57,344 
			 
			 Closed 128,350 200,770 107,119 
			 Child minders 50,401 62,972 33,122 
			 Full Daycare 38,502 65,577 36,095 
			 Out of school 39,447 72,221 37,902 
			 
			 Net Steady State Changes(257) +24,618 +19,238 +6,603 
			 Child minders +6,425 +6,344 +1,249 
			 Full Daycare +14,617 +9,642 +4,571 
			 Out of school +3,576 +3,252 +783 
			 
			 Net change +134,864 +72,594 +60,454 
		
	
	(257) The Net Steady State change refers to existing registered providers who change the number of places for which they are registered, either through opening or closing. Ofsted only provides the Department with the net outcome of these Steady State changes We are therefore unable to say how many places opened and closed to produce the net outcome figure.

Class Sizes

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average class size was in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in the East Riding of Yorkshire in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: The information requested has been placed in the Library.
	Data on class sizes in primary and secondary schools at national, local authority and parliamentary constituency level can also be found at the following link:
	Schools and Pupils in England: January 2005 (Final) in the additional information sections 4, 6 and 7.

Class Sizes

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average class size was in (a) primary schools and (b) secondary schools in (i) England, (ii) Kingston upon Hull and (iii) Hull, North constituency in the last year for which figures are available.

Bill Rammell: The information requested has been placed in the Library.
	Data on class sizes in primary and secondary schools at national, local authority and parliamentary constituency level can also be found at the following link: Schools and Pupils in England: January 2005 (Final) in the additional information sections 4, 6 and 7.

Connexions

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much her Department has provided to Connexions in each year since its inception.

Bill Rammell: Connexions was introduced in a staged way from April 2001 and the budgets for each year since its inception are as follows:
	
		 million
		
			  Connexions budget Careers service budget 
		
		
			 200102 151 173 
			 200203 378 52 
			 200304 455  
			 200405 470  
			 200506 475  
			 200607 476

Connexions

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which schools in (a) Southend, (b) Essex, (c) the Metropolitan Police area of London, and (d) Hertfordshire have (i) a partnership agreement and (ii) another arrangement with Connexions.

Bill Rammell: The Department for Education and Skills does not hold central information on Connexions partnership agreements. It is a matter for the local Connexions partnership to ensure that partnership agreements with schools are in place.

Connexions

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which Catholic schools in England have (a) a partnership agreement and (b) another arrangement with Connexions; whether a Connexions personal adviser is working in each such school; and whether special guidelines have been issued about keeping advice given to pupils in line with Catholic teaching.

Bill Rammell: The Department for Education and Skills does not hold central information on Connexions partnership agreements. It is a matter for the local Connexions partnership to ensure that partnership agreements with schools are in place. The requirements and guidance for the Connexions Service states that materials that the Partnership makes available in faith schools and colleges must reflect the ethos of those institutions.

Contracts (Voluntary Sector)

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many contracts are let by her Department to voluntary sector organisations; how many of those are let on an annual basis; and how many of those had received finalised contracts for 200607 by 31 March.

Bill Rammell: This information could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Finance

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 27 March 2006, Official Report, column 64546W, on departmental finance, if she will place in the Library the annual departmental returns to the Treasury from which the figures were extracted.

Bill Rammell: A summary of the departmental returns on fraud to Treasury for the period 200203 to 200405 giving more detail that the original answer has been placed in the library. Treasury only require returns to be retained for three years so information is not available for 200102. The summary also includes cases that did not incur a financial loss which were excluded from the original figures.
	
		DfES Fraud and Theft Reported to HM Treasury In 2002/03,2003/04 and 2004/05
		
			 Internal Cases 
			  200203 200304 200405 
			 Type of fraud Number of cases Value () Number of cases Value () Number of cases Value () 
		
		
			 Travelling, subsistence and allowances 1 4,400 
			 Pay-related frauds 1 0 2 0   
			 Theft of assets and information 2 0 
			 Exploiting assets and information 1 0 
			 Procurement fraud 1 0 1 0 1 0 
			 Personnel management related fraud 3 0 
			 Fraud related to payment processes   
			 Income related fraud   
			 Other 1 0 
		
	
	
		ExternalPublic
		
			  200203 200304 200405 
			 Type of fraud Number of cases Value () Number of cases Value () Number of cases Value () 
		
		
			 Travelling, subsistence and allowances   
			 Pay-related frauds 1 18,400 
			 Theft of assets and information   
			 Exploiting assets and information   
			 Procurement fraud   
			 Personnel management related fraud   
			 Fraud related to payment processes 1 45,647 
			 Income related fraud   
			 Other 9 156,0880 7 189,527   
		
	
	
		ExternalContractor
		
			  200203 200304 200405 
			 Type of fraud Number of cases Value () Number of cases Value () Number of cases Value () 
		
		
			 Travelling, subsistence and allowances   
			 Pay-related frauds 1 0 
			 Theft of assets and information 1 308 
			 Exploiting assets and information   
			 Procurement fraud 4 65,413 3 0 1 66,000 
			 Personnel management related fraud   
			 Fraud related to payment processes   
			 Income related fraud   
			 Other   
		
	
	
		Unknown (assumed to be internal)
		
			  200203 200304 200405 
			 Type of fraud Number of cases Value () Number of cases Value () Number of cases Value () 
		
		
			 Travelling, subsistence and allowances   
			 Pay-related frauds   
			 Theft of assets and information   
			 Exploiting assets and information   
			 Procurement fraud   
			 Personnel management related fraud   
			 Fraud related to payment processes   
			 Income related fraud   
			 Other

Education Act 1996

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many directions have been issued under sections (a) 497 (general default powers) and (b) 497A (power to secure proper performance of local education authority's functions) of the Education Act 1996 in each year since 1996; and how many of these had to be enforced by order of mandamus.

Bill Rammell: The number of directions issued under section 497A in every year since 1996 are as follows:
	
		
			  Number of directions issued under section 497A 
		
		
			 1996 0 
			 1997 0 
			 1998 0 
			 1999 1 
			 2000 1 
			 2001 6 
			 2002 3 
			 2003 1 
			 2004 1 
			 2005 2 
			 2006 0 
		
	
	No directions under section 497A were enforced by order of mandamus.
	The Department has issued directions under section 497 in two areas: school admissions and special educational needs, but keeps no central aggregate record of numbers. As far as the Department's records indicate, none have required enforcement by a court order of mandamus.

Education and Training

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of 17-year-olds were in (a) full-time and (b) part-time education and training in each local authority in England in each of the last five years.

Bill Rammell: Participation rates for those aged 16 and 17, in schools, FE colleges, LSC funded work-based learning and part-time education are available for local education authorities (LEAs) in England. The latest available figures are for 2004 and these were published in the Statistical First Release Participation in education and training by 16 and 17-year-olds in each local area in EnglandSFR13/2006 on 30 March 2006.
	The publication is accessible on the DfES website via the link, httD://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000645/index.shtml
	LEA detail is available through the link: http://www.dfes.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000645/Addition3_lea.xls

Education Finance

Huw Irranca-Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much the Government spent per pupil in England on the (a) 4 to 7 years, (b) 7 to 11 years and (c) 11 to 16 years age groups in each year since 2004.

Bill Rammell: Total funding per pupil aged 310 and 1115 for England in 200405 and 200506 is set out as follows. We cannot show the figures for the ages requested.
	The figures are in cash terms and include the pensions transfer to EFS and the LSC.
	
		Cash terms, including pensions transfer to EFS and LSC
		
			  3 to 10-year-olds 11 to 15-year-olds 
		
		
			 200405 3,560 4,460 
			 200506 3,840 4,730 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Price Base: Cash
	2. Figures reflect relevant sub-blocks of Education Formula Spending (EFS) settlements. Figures from 200405 include the pensions transfer to EFS, the figures prior to 200304 have not been adjusted.
	3. Total funding also includes all revenue grants in DfES Departmental Expenditure Limits relevant to pupils aged 1115 and exclude Education Maintenance Allowances (EMAs) and grants not allocated at LEA level.
	4. The pupil numbers used to convert m figures to per pupil are those underlying the EFS settlement calculations.
	5. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	6. Figures are provisional as some grants have not yet been finalised/audited.

Education Finance

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average funding per pupil was for 200506 in West Lancashire.

Bill Rammell: The total funding per pupil aged 319 (cash terms) in Lancashire for 200506 was 4,080. Figures are not available at constituency level.
	The above figure includes funding via Education Formula Spending and education grants allocated at a local authority level. It includes the pensions transfer to EFS and the Learning and Skills Council, and is in cash terms.
	Notes:
	1. Price Base: Cash
	2. Figures reflect relevant sub-blocks of Education Formula Spending (EFS) settlements and include the pensions transfer to EFS and the Learning and Skills Council.
	3. Total funding also includes all revenue grants in DfES Departmental Expenditure Limits relevant to pupils aged 319 and exclude Education Maintenance Allowances (EMAs) and grants not allocated at LEA level.
	4. The pupil numbers used to convert m figures to per pupil are those underlying the EFS settlement calculations.
	5. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	6. 200506 figures are provisional as some grants have not yet been finalised/audited.

Education Finance

Jeremy Browne: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the funding per pupil was in (a) Taunton constituency and (b) England in each year since 1997.

Bill Rammell: Total funding per pupil aged 319 for Somerset and England between 199798 and 200506 is set out in the following table. Figures are not available at constituency level. The figures are in real terms and exclude the pensions transfer to EPS and the LSC from 200304.
	
		
		
			  Somerset total England total 
		
		
			 199798 2,750 2,940 
			 199899 2,810 3,000 
			 19992000 2,940 3,140 
			 200001 3,170 3,390 
			 200102 3,300 3,550 
			 200203 3,370 3,650 
			 200304 3,490 3,790 
			 200405 3,640 3,950 
			 200506 3,780 4,130 
			 Change since 199798 1,030 1,180 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Price Base: Real terms at 200405 prices, based on GDP deflators as at 23 December 2005.
	2. Figures reflect relevant sub-blocks of Standard Spending Assessment/Education Formula Spending (EFS) settlements and exclude the pensions transfer to EFS and LSC from 200304.
	3. Total funding also includes all revenue grants in DfES departmental expenditure limits relevant to pupils aged 319 and exclude education maintenance allowances (EMAs) and grants not allocated at LEA level.
	4. The pupil numbers used to convert  million figures to  per pupil are those underlying the SSA/EFS settlement calculations plus PLASC three-year-old maintained pupils and estimated three to four-year-olds funded through state support in maintained and other educational institutions where these are not included in the SSA pupil numbers.
	5. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
	6. 200304 to 200506 figures are provisional as some grants have not yet been finalised/audited.

Educational Underachievement

Sadiq Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps the Department is taking to address under-achievement in schools by British Muslims.

Bill Rammell: In 2003 the Government launched the Aiming High strategy to raise the attainment of black and minority ethnic pupils. Within the Aiming High strategy, the Minority Ethnic Achievement Project was established in 2004, and is running in 52 maintained schools in 12 local authorities. It focuses on raising the achievement of pupils from Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Turkish and Somali backgrounds at Key Stage 3. We are building on the Aiming High Strategy and are doubling the number of schools which offer extra support for Pakistani and Bangladeshi pupils.
	The attainment of Pakistani and Bangladeshi pupils at GCSE has improved faster than the national average since 2003. In 2005, Pakistani and Bangladeshi pupils also improved their five A* to C GCSE results compared to 2004. In 2005, 48.4 per cent. of Pakistani pupils gained five A* to C GCSEs (an increase of 3.2 percentage points from 45.2 per cent. in 2004), as did 52.7 per cent. of Bangladeshi pupils (an increase of 4.3 percentage points from 48.4 per cent. in 2004). This was against a national average for all pupils in maintained schools in 2005 of 54.9 per cent., up 3.0 percentage points from 51.9 per cent. in 2004.

Enterprise Summer School Pathfinders

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  what the curriculum of the enterprise summer school pathfinders will be in summer 2006; on what basis participating schools will be selected; and if she will make a statement.
	(2)  what the (a) objectives, (b) costs and (c) performance measurement criteria for the 23 enterprise summer school pathfinders will be.

Bill Rammell: Following the Chancellor's November announcement, and subsequent budget announcement that Young Enterprise (YE) will run Enterprise Summer School Pathfinders in 2006, the DfES has been given responsibility for the delivery of the Pathfinders. Two million pounds has been made available, and while we have had early discussions with YE, we are not yet at a stage to finalise details.

Mobile Telephones

Stephen Hesford: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils in (a) Wirral West, (b) Wirral Local Education Authority and (c) England have been caught using a mobile telephone to cheat in an examination in each of the last three academic years; and if she will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: Any candidate who takes a mobile phone into an examination is guilty of malpractice under the general qualifications regulations, regardless of whether or not they planned to use it to cheat. In summer 2005, around 1,100 candidates were penalised for bringing mobile phones into examinations set by the three England-based awarding bodies, according to a report recently published by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA).
	A geographical breakdown of these figures is not available centrally.
	The QCA is working with the awarding bodies which provide public examinations and with everyone in the system to ensure that they understand the penalties of malpractice.

GCSEs

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many people have left school in (a) Ribble Valley and (b) Lancashire with less than the equivalent of five GCSEs at grades A to C in each year since 1997.

Bill Rammell: The figures requested are shown in the following table.
	
		Proportion of 15-year-olds(258) not achieving five or more A* to C grades at GCSE and equivalent(259) in Ribble Valley constituency, maintained schools only
		
			  Number of 15-year-old pupils in Ribble Valley constituency(260) Number not achieving 5+A*-C Percentage not achieving 5+A*-C 
		
		
			 1997 1,258 519 41.3 
			 1998 1,293 501 38.7 
			 1999 1,307 523 40.0 
			 2000 1,299 476 36.6 
			 2001 1,342 493 36.7 
			 2002 1,336 451 33.8 
			 2003 1,373 486 35.4 
			 2004 1,590 605 38.1 
			 2005 1,595 556 34.9 
		
	
	(258) Age at the start of the academic year (i.e. 31 August).
	(259) From 1997 includes GNVQ equivalences and from 2004 other equivalences approved for use pre-16.
	(260) Pupils attending schools located in Ribble Valley constituency
	
		Proportion of 15-year-olds(261) not achieving five or more A* to C grades at GCSE and equivalent(262)in Lancashire local authority, maintained schools only
		
			  Number of 15-year-old pupils in Lancashire local authority Number not achieving 5+A*-C Percentage not achieving 5+A*-C 
		
		
			 1997 16,288 9,153 56.2 
			 1998 13,071 6,931 53.0 
			 1999 13,216 6,870 52.0 
			 2000 13,480 6,795 50.4 
			 2001 13,602 6,788 49.9 
			 2002 13,841 6,686 48.3 
			 2003 14,056 6,556 46.6 
			 2004 14,717 6,796 46.2 
			 2005 14,798 6,785 45.9 
		
	
	(261) Age at the start of the academic year (i.e. 31 August).
	(262) From 1997 includes GNVQ equivalences and from 2004 other equivalences approved for use pre-16.
	The proportion of 15-year-olds in England achieving five A*-C grades at GCSE and equivalent has improved by 11 percentage points from 45.1 per cent. in 1997 to 56.3 per cent. in 2005. The proportion of pupils in Ribble Valley achieving this standard is well above the national average and the average for Lancashire as a whole.

LEA Boundaries

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many and what percentage of pupils being educated in the East Riding of Yorkshire live inside the Kingston-upon-Hull local education authority boundary; and if she will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The information requested has been provided in the following table.
	
		Percentage of pupils(263) educated within the East Riding of Yorkshire residing within the Kingston-Upon-Hull local authority (LA) boundary
		
			  Number of pupils in schools maintained by the East Riding of Yorkshire LA Number of pupils in residence in Kingston-upon-Hull LA attending schools maintained by the East Riding of Yorkshire LA Percentage of pupils in residence in Kingston-upon-Hull LA attending schools maintained by the East Riding of Yorkshire LA 
		
		
			 Primary(264) 22,071 766 3.5 
			 Secondary(265) 20,344 1,474 7.2 
			 Special(266) 115 3 2.6 
			 Total 42,530 2,243 5.3 
		
	
	(263) Includes pupils aged five to 15 years, solely registered or main registration of dually registered pupils, excludes boarders.
	(264) Includes middle deemed primary.
	(265) Includes secondary and middle deemed secondary.
	(266) Includes special and non-maintained special.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census 2005

Level 3 Education

John Penrose: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has for changing the (a) funding and (b) charging arrangements for level 3 education for people over 25 years once level 3 education becomes free for people under 25 years.

Beverley Hughes: The White Paper on Further Education: Raising Skills, Improving Life Chances reaffirmed that, while there is more funding going into the sector, there is a need to focus more on the key priorities of raising participation and achievement amongst young people and providing adults with the basic platform of skills and qualifications needed for employability and further learning. It also reaffirmed the principle that adults and employers should contribute to the costs of learning in line with the benefits they receive. Consistent with that principle the national fee assumption for adult learners not covered by national entitlements, including adults over the age of 25 studying for a level 3 qualification, will rise and will reach 37.5 per cent. in 2007/08 compared to the current figure of 27.5 per cent. There will still be concessions for people on means-tested benefits, the pension (guarantee) credit, and higher rates of the working tax credit.
	The entitlement to free tuition for 19 to 25-year-olds studying for their first full level 3 qualification, which is intended to help young adults seeking to complete their initial education and who may not have had the opportunity to do so satisfactorily by age 19, will be introduced in August 2007. It will be supported by 25 million of additional funding on top of existing planned funding for adult learning and will therefore not change the funding or charging arrangements for older adults, who will continue to benefit from the 48 per cent. real increase in funding that this Government has made in further education since 1997. Additionally, adults of all ages, including those aged over 25, will benefit from the introduction of the Train to Gain service for employers and Learning Accounts for level 3 qualifications.

Parliamentary Questions

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she will reply to Questions (a) 54835 and (b) 54836 tabled by the hon. Member forCity of York on 24 February 2006, on university staff.

Bill Rammell: I replied to my hon. Friend on 18 April 2006.

Primary Schools

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what estimate she has made of the number of post-graduate certificate in education places for primary school teachers that will be provided by institutions in England for the 2006/07 academic year; and what percentage change that represents from 2005/06.

Bill Rammell: The Department sets the recruitment target for new entrants to initial teacher training (ITT) separately for primary and secondary courses. For 2006/07, the overall recruitment target for new entrants to primary school ITT is 15,300. The Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) is responsible for allocating the 15,300 places between postgraduate and undergraduate primary courses.
	In 2006/07, 8,791 places have been allocated for the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) for primary school teachers provided by institutions in England. This represents a 3.4 per cent. reduction in the number of places (9,100) allocated in 2005/06. The remaining places are allocated for undergraduate and employment based routes.

Private Finance Initiative

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the (a) names and (b) locations of the schools (i) built and (ii) renewed under the Private Finance Initiative scheme.

Bill Rammell: The Department for Education and Skills does not itself undertake private finance initiative (PFI) projects. PFI projects for the provision of schools are delivered through contracts between local authorities and private sector contractors.
	There are currently 99 such projects with signed contracts covering over 800 schools. The names, locations and other details of these schools can be accessed at:
	www.teachernet.gov.uk/pfi.

School Hours

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which schools in Southend provide extended school hours; and if she will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: Nine schools in the Southend Local Authority area are working towards delivering a core offer of extended services by September 2006. The Government wants all schools to provide access to the core offer by 2010, with half of primary schools and a third of secondary schools doing so by 2008. We want to see at least 2,500 schools providing access to the core offer by September 2006. Good progress is being made nationally, with over 6,000 schools thus far indicating their willingness to work on developing a core offer of extended services.
	The core offer, which should be available to all parents and pupils of the school, comprises access to:
	high quality childcare 8am to 6pm year round;
	a varied menu of study support activities;
	parenting support programmes;
	swift and easy referral to a wide range of specialised support services;
	wider community access.
	It will be for individual local authorities, in discussion with all schools in their area, to take a strategic approach to developing access to the core offer in each year.

School IT Systems

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much her Department allocated for school information technology systems in (a) Kingston upon Hull and (b) Hull North in each year since 1997.

Bill Rammell: The Department does not hold information on specific allocation figures for school information technology systems in (a) Kingston upon Hull and (b) Hull North. Funding for school information systems is included within the overall ICT funding allocation figure for the local authority.
	Hull North is in Kingston upon Hull and allocations for this authority, from 19982005, are detailed in 'Funding for ICT in Schools in England' which is available in the House Library. The ICT funding allocation for Kingston upon Hull in 200506 was 2,755,007.

School Meals

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what provision will be made for schools committed to long-term contractual arrangements with vending machine suppliers if the proposed ban on junk food sales contained in the draft guidelines from the School Food Trust is implemented.

Bill Rammell: There is currently no intention to make provision available at a national level to schools committed to long-term arrangements. Such arrangements are made at local level and we would normally expect schools to seek expert advice from their local authority on contractual issues. Last year the Department produced a draft guide for schools and local authorities on 'School Meals Procurement', which sets out some of the key issues that governors and head teachers should consider when reviewing their current school meals service and deciding on changes. Alongside this guide, which is currently being updated, we are also producing additional guidance on contract variation which is aimed at helping schools tied into long term contracts. Both sets of guidance should be available in May.

School Meals

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many school children in each school in Southend, West constituency (a) receive school meals and (b) pay for school meals.

Bill Rammell: The table shows information on free school meals taken as well as pupils known to be eligible for free schools meals.
	Two sets of figures relating to the number and proportion of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals are given here. The first includes all pupils in the school, regardless of their age. The second includes full time pupils aged up to (and including) 15 and part time pupils aged 5 to 15 (inclusive). This second coverage is as used in the Pupil Achievement Tracker and Ofsted's PANDA reports and provides consistent school level comparisons.
	Information on the number of pupils who pay for school meals is not collected centrally.
	
		Maintained primary and secondary schools: school meal arrangementsJanuary 2005Southend, West parliamentary constituency
		
			 All pupils(267) 
			 URN LEA No. Estab. No. School nameNumber on roll  Number of pupils taking free school meals(269)  Percentage of pupils taking free school meals Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 
		
		
			 114718 882 2019 Chalkwell Hall Junior School 416 37 8.9 40 9.6 
			 114719 882 2022 Chalkwell Hall Infant School 312 25 8.0 31 9.9 
			 114720 882 2023 Earls Hall Junior School 354 34 9.6 42 11.9 
			 114725 882 2031 Earls Hall Infant School 267 20 7.5 28 10.5 
			 114773 882 2095 Leigh North Street Junior School 354 25 7.1 37 10.5 
			 114774 882 2096 Leigh Infant School 264 17 6.4 22 8.3 
			 114779 882 2108 West Leigh Junior School 513 9 1.8 13 2.5 
			 114780 882 2109 West Leigh Infant School 360 3 0.8 4 1.1 
			 114781 882 2111 Edwards Hall Junior School 275 13 4.7 14 5.1 
			 114782 882 2115 Edwards Hall Infant School 182 10 5.5 11 6.0 
			 114789 882 2126 Heycroft Primary School 424 8 1.9 11 2.6 
			 114790 882 2127 Darlinghurst Primary and Nursery School 389 66 17.0 96 24.7 
			 114837 882 2387 Blenheim Primary School 458 96 21.4 134 29.3 
			 114841 882 2407 Fairways Primary School 406 25 6.2 33 8.1 
			 115148 882 3328 Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School 423 14 3.3 16 3.8 
			 115234 882 4492 Prittlewell Technology College 917 175 19.1 227 24.8 
			 115246 882 5206 The Westborough Primary School and Nursery 704 104 14.8 169 24.0 
			 115270 882 5230 Eastwood Infant and Nursery Foundation School 181 28 15.5 38 21.0 
			 115271 682 5231 Eastwood Junior School 226 32 14.2 41 18.1 
			 115308 882 5268 Prince Avenue Primary Foundation School and Nursery 382 49 12.8 75 19.6 
			 115317 882 5401 Westcliff High School for Boys 985 17 1.7 17 1.7 
			 115330 882 5414 The Eastwood School (1118) 922 57 6.2 64 6.9 
			 115339 882 5423 Westcliff High School for Girls 1,032 5 0.5 12 1.2 
			 115350 882 5434 Belfairs High School 1244 180 14.5 249 20.0 
			 115362 882 5446 Southend High School for Boys 914 18 2.0 27 3.0 
			 115363 882 5447 St. Thomas More High School for Boys 941 37 3.9 57 6.1 
		
	
	
		
			 Pupil achievement tracker(268) 
			 URN LEA No. Estab. No. School name Number of pupils Number of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals Percentage of pupils known to be eligible for free school meals 
		
		
			 114718 882 2019 Chalkwell Hall Junior School 416 40 9.6 
			 114719 882 2022 Chalkwell Hall Infant School 312 31 9.9 
			 114720 882 2023 Earls Hall Junior School 354 42 11.9 
			 114725 882 2031 Earls Hall Infant School 244 28 11.5 
			 114773 882 2095 Leigh North Street Junior School 354 37 10.5 
			 114774 882 2096 Leigh Infant School 264 22 8.3 
			 114779 882 2108 West Leigh Junior School 513 13 2.5 
			 114780 882 2109 West Leigh Infant School 360 4 1.1 
			 114781 882 2111 Edwards Hall Junior School 275 14 5.1 
			 114782 882 2115 Edwards Hall Infant School 182 11 6.0 
			 114789 882 2126 Heycroft Primary School 424 11 2.6 
			 114790 882 2127 Darlinghurst Primary and Nursery School 352 91 25.9 
			 114837 882 2387 Blenheim Primary School 422 134 31.8 
			 114841 882 2407 Fairways Primary School 406 33 8.1 
			 115148 882 3328 Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Primary School 423 16 3.8 
			 115234 882 4492 Prittlewell Technology College 917 227 24.8 
			 115246 882 5206 The Westborough Primary School and Nursery 628 167 26.6 
			 115270 882 5230 Eastwood Infant and Nursery Foundation School 140 38 27.1 
			 115271 682 5231 Eastwood Junior School 226 41 18.1 
			 115308 882 5268 Prince Avenue Primary Foundation School and Nursery 344 75 21.8 
			 115317 882 5401 Westcliff High School for Boys 759 16 
			 115330 882 5414 The Eastwood School (1118) 828 62 7.5 
			 115339 882 5423 Westcliff High School for Girls 763 8 1.0 
			 115350 882 5434 Belfairs High School 1081 232 21.5 
			 115362 882 5446 Southend High School for Boys 694 22 3.2 
			 115363 882 5447 St. Thomas More High School for Boys 755 49 6.5 
		
	
	(267) Includes pupils with sole and dual registration of all ages.
	(268) Includes pupils with sole and dual registration who are full time and aged 0 to 15 (inclusive) and those who are part time and aged 5 to 15 (inclusive)
	(269) Number of pupils who took a free school meal on the day of the census in January.
	# less than 3 or a rate based on less than 3

School Sports Facilities

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding her Department has made available for improvement to school sports facilities in (a) Kingston upon Hull and (b) Hull, North in each year since 1997.

Bill Rammell: The Department for Education and Skills allocates capital funding on a local authority basis. It then relies on the local authority to spend its allocation on improving school sport facilities and other school assets in accordance with priorities set out in the local asset management plan. Accordingly, records held centrally detail allocations at a local authority level.
	Capital allocations to the City of Kingston upon Hull and schools in its area have increased significantly in the period 199798 to 200506, and are set out in the table as follows:
	
		
			   million 
		
		
			 199798 5.4 
			 199899 2.6 
			 19992000 6.3 
			 200001 9.5 
			 200102 14.4 
			 200203 13.6 
			 200304 10.7 
			 200405 10.9 
			 200506 8.4 
		
	
	The four year period 200102 to 200405 includes the following Targeted Capital Funding allocations, in date order; 3.9 million, 4.4 million, 0.6 million, 1.0 million.

Schools Enterprise Education Network

Mark Prisk: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the (a) objectives, (b) costs and (c) performance measurement criteria will be for the Schools Enterprise Education Network.

Bill Rammell: The overriding objective of the Schools Enterprise Education Network (SEEN) is to use its experience and expertise to help other schools deliver enterprise education. During the initial start up phase, we have asked the network to establish an effective working relationship with their partner schools, and have provided 1.3 million to enable this to happen.

Services Education

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2006, Official Report, column 686W, on services education, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that local education authorities use their funding flexibly to help with the specific problems faced by service schools; what assessment she has made of the assistance available from local authorities for service children; and how many local education authorities make specific provision for mobility in their funding formulae for schools.

Bill Rammell: Each local authority is responsible for setting its own local funding formula which is used for delegating resources to schools. Under the school finance regulations, authorities have both the freedom and the flexibility to build factors into their local formulae which can take account of mobility issues as they affect schools with high numbers of children from services' families. Local authorities are best placed to know the needs and circumstances of their individual schools, and so they are responsible for devising formulae which can take such local matters into account.

Skills Training

Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much her Department allocated for key skills training in secondary schools in (a) Kingston upon Hull and (b) Hull North constituency in each year since 1997.

Bill Rammell: Training for key skills teachers is provided through the Key Skills Support Programme (KSSP) which focuses on post-16 learners in schools, colleges and work-based training. The amounts allocated nationally for schools and colleges since the start of the KSSP are set out in the following table.
	
		
			 Financial year Allocation () 
		
		
			 199900 4,000,000 
			 200001 4,000,000 
			 200102 4,000,000 
			 200203 4,000,000 
			 200304 4,000,000 
			 200405 3,115,000 
			 200506 3,525,000 
		
	
	The KSSP is a national programme and the figures in the table represent the total allocations across England for both secondary schools and colleges. More detailed breakdowns, whether by region or by type of institution, are not available.

Student/Staff Ratios

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the student/staff ratio was in (a) universities in England, (b) the University of York and (c) the University College of York St. John in (i) 1997 and (ii) the latest year for which figures are available.

Bill Rammell: The Department does not calculate student staff ratios for individual higher education institutions, partly because the amount of time staff spend teaching further education (as opposed to higher education) courses, and the number of students who are taught at other institutions under franchising arrangements, differ between institutions and therefore complicate the calculation of SSRs on a consistent basis for every institution. The latest available information showing student and staff numbers for these institutions, and the comparable figures for all institutions in England, are given in the table.
	
		Higher education students and staff in higher education institutions
		
			  1997/98 2004/05 
			  Students(270) Staff Students(270) Staff 
		
		
			 England 1,496,890 104,470 1,895,825 134,330 
			 University of York 8,030 950 12,625 1,195 
			 University College of  York St. John 4,015 185 5,720 235 
		
	
	(270) Postgraduate and undergraduate, students from UK and overseas. Figures are based on a snapshot count as at 1 December.
	(271) All full-time and part-time academic staff.
	Source:
	Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).
	An SSR for all HE institutions in England as a whole, which takes account of time spent on FE teaching and students taught via franchising, is published annually by the Department. The latest figures show that the SSR was 17.6:1 in 1997/98 and 18.2:1 in 2003/04.

Teacher Pensions

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of members of the teachers' pension scheme joined the scheme (a) before the age of (i) 20, (ii) 25, (iii) 30, (iv) 35, (v) 40 and (vi) 45 and (b) when they were over 45 years.

Jacqui Smith: The numbers and proportions in the following table are shown against the age at the date of first entry 1 of full-time teachers still in service at March 2004, in maintained, FE and independent sectors, England and Wales.
	1 Date of first entry is the first date of recorded service of any type. This will include entry to non-pensionable but recorded service.
	
		
			 Age at date of entry Number Percentage Cumulative percentage 
		
		
			 Under 20 4,500 1 1 
			 2024 301,900 56 57 
			 2529 99,400 18 75 
			 3034 48,600 9 84 
			 3539 39,100 7 92 
			 4044 26,500 5 97 
			 45 and over 18,200 3  
			 Total 538,300 100 100 
		
	
	Note:
	Figures are rounded to the nearest 100.
	Source:
	Database of Teachers' Records (DTR)

Teacher Training

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills on what date a decision was taken to reduce the number of initial teacher training places allocated to the North West of England; and on what date that decision was communicated to bodies responsible for delivering that training.

Bill Rammell: The Board for the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) approved the methodology for allocating new entrant initial teacher training (ITT) places at its meeting on 14 December 2005 and gave TDA officers the authority to make allocations to individual ITT providers.
	The TDA wrote to all ITT providers on 21 December 2005 advising them of their new entrant ITT place allocations for 2006/07 and 2007/08.

Truancy

Graham Stuart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils played truant in secondary schools in (a) England and (b) Beverley and Holderness in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

Beverley Hughes: The Department does not hold data on the levels of truancy. However, the figures for the number of pupils missing at least one half day due to unauthorised absence (of which truancy forms a part) in maintained mainstream schools can be found in the following table.
	
		Number of pupils in maintained secondary schools missing at least one half day due to unauthorised absence
		
			  1997/98 1998/99 1999/2000 2000/01 
		
		
			 Beverley and Holderness 
			 Number of pupils 6,190 7,293 6,388 6,484 
			 Number missing 1,263 1,842 1,386 844 
			 Percentage missing 20.4 25.3 21.7 13.0 
			  
			 England 
			 Number of pupils 2,786,943 2,872,670 2,917,639 2,956,915 
			 Number missing 452,949 489,914 510,046 541,968 
			 Percentage missing 16.3 17.1 17.5 18.3 
		
	
	
		
			  2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 2004/05 
		
		
			 Beverley and Holderness 
			 Number of pupils 6,538 7,600 7,501 7,275 
			 Number missing 951 1,764 1,481 1,425 
			 Percentage missing 14.5 23.2 19.7 19.6 
			  
			 England 
			 Number of pupils 3,003,469 3,033,226 3,060,464 3,037,013 
			 Number missing 566,644 629,126 696,600 774,347 
			 Percentage missing 18.9 20.7 22.8 25.5

University Staff (Lancashire)

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average annual earnings of full-time members of academic staff of universities in Lancashire were in the last year for which figures are available.

Bill Rammell: The latest available figures are shown in the following table:
	
		Average salary(272) of full-time HE academic staff with teaching responsibilities higher education institutions in (a) Lancashire(273) and (b) England in 2004/05
		
			  Average salary () 
			 Grade Lancashire England 
		
		
			 Professors 56,000 59,100 
			 Senior lecturers and researchers 31,500 41,500 
			 Lecturers 30,600 33,000 
		
	
	(272) Average salary is derived from the gross basic salary per annum, in pounds sterling as stated in the contract at the reference date of HESA's staff count (31 July) or at the end date of the contract if earlier. It does not include any regular payments for additional duties, responsibility allowances or honoraria, regardless of their source. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 100.
	(273) Includes Edge Hill college of HE, St. Martin's college, university of Bolton, university of Central Lancashire and university of Lancaster.
	Source:
	HESA staff record 2004/05

World Heritage Sites

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills which Minister in her Department has responsibility for issues relating to world heritage sites.

Beverley Hughes: Lead responsibility for policy on world heritage sites rests with the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The Department for Culture, Media and Sport works closely with relevant Government Departments on all issues affecting world heritage sites. Within the Department for Education and Skills, Bill Rammell is Minister, with responsibility for issues concerning world heritage sites which fall within this Department's policy remit.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Arms Exports

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 27 March 2006, Official Report, column 636W, on arms exports, when the goods in question were sent; and when they arrived in Iraq.

Malcolm Wicks: An export licence was issued on 15 June 2004. The goods were exported under the licence in July 2004. The Joint Contracting Command-Iraq provided a delivery verification certificate confirming that the goods had been delivered and accepted by them on 18 April 2005 or earlier in Baghdad, Iraq.

Arms Exports

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 27 March 2006, Official Report, column 636W, on arms exports, when the goods in question were sent; and when they arrived in Iraq.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 30 March 2006
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question number 62563 answered today.

Bankruptcies

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many people in (a) England, (b) each English region and (c) the Tees Valley under the age of 25 have declared themselves bankrupt in each year since 1997.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The areas in the regional insolvency tables are based around Official Receivers offices and are not directly comparable with standard geographies such as Government Office regions. The insolvency regions are areas assigned to groups of Official Receivers and are based around the location of county courts where the cases are heard and of courts having jurisdiction over these. As such, the Tees Valley area is best matched to the Stockton Official Receivers office, but it should not be considered a precise measure of bankruptcies in the Tees Valley for the reasons given above. The county courts covered by Stockton OR are Darlington, Durham, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough and Northallerton.
	These figures are not analysed by age, and to provide them for the under 25-age group would involve disproportionate cost. However the Insolvency Service has recently published the report Characteristics of a bankrupt which includes some information by region and age group for financial years 200102 to 200405 and which is available here (it should be noted that the nearest age band presented in the report is for those aged 1829): http://www.insolvency.gov.uk/insolvencyprofessionandlegislation/policychange/cob.pdf
	The following table records the numbers of individual bankruptcy orders in England and Wales (for all ages). It also contains figures for Stockton OR separately and for the regions of EW classified according to Official Receivers' Office from 1997 to 2005. It should be noted that over the years there have been changes to the composition of the insolvency service regions, including, notably, Croydon being recorded in the London region from April 2004 whereas previously it came under the south east region. It should also be noted that to provide figures for England separately would require splitting the south west regional figures and would not provide precise figures.
	
		Numbers of bankruptcies recorded in Official Receivers offices, 1997 to 2005
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 Stockton 356 366 411 452 559 564 574 717 873 
			 Northern regions 4,145 4,385 6,435 7,478 8,336 8,343 8,449 10,359 12,841 
			 North East n/a n/a n/a 3,838 4,228 4,227 4,581 5,614 7,019 
			 North West n/a n/a n/a 3,640 4,108 4,116 3,868 4,745 5,822 
			 Midland Region 4,155 4,260 3,544 3,187 3,409 3,501 4,191 4,812 6,122 
			 Anglia Region 3,105 3,180 3,408 3,144 3,521 3,527 4,191 5,193 7,132 
			 South East Region 3,175 2,831 2,931 2,730 2,755 3,052 4,618 5,616 7,328 
			 South West Region 3,848 3,617 4,002 3,720 4,023 4,401 4,627 5,672 7,791 
			 London 1,464 1,374 1,291 1,291 1,433 1,468 1,945 4,246 6,073 
			 EW National total 19,892 19,647 21,611 21,550 23,477 24,292 28,021 35,898 47,287

British Energy

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent estimate he has made of the market value of the Government's stake in British Energy.

Barry Gardiner: holding answer 30 March 2006
	The Nuclear Liabilities Fund holds 265 million British Energy bonds as well as a right to approximately 65 per cent. of British Energy's annual adjusted free cash flow (the 'cash sweep'), a right that is convertible into British Energy shares. The Department applies a proxy valuation to the cash sweep based on the prevailing British Energy share price.
	Based on a market valuation, at the close of play on 24 March 2005, the British Energy bonds were valued at about 284 million and the 'cash sweep' was estimated to be around 6.6 billion based on converting the 65 per cent. stake at current share prices.

British Energy

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the likely effect on the market value of the Government's stake in British Energy of the Energy Review's possible conclusions on whether the UK (a) should and (b) should not build new nuclear power stations.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 30 March 2006
	No decisions have been taken on the Energy Review. City analysts have said the appropriate approach to assess the value of shares in British Energy is to assess the discounted value of the expected cashflow to shareholders. The primary determinants of this value are expectations about realised prices for electricity, the expected life of the stations, investment costs in maintaining the fleet and the appropriate discount rate for a company like British Energy.

British Energy

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he has taken to limit the scale of the liability to be borne by the public purse in respect of British Energy's nuclear liabilities.

Barry Gardiner: Through the restructuring agreements, the Department has put in place measures to ensure British Energy's liabilities are minimised. These measures will be overseen by the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority on behalf of the Department. For example, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority will be responsible for reviewing and approving all of British Energy's decommissioning plans, identifying synergies and cost savings where possible, and approving all payments out of the decommissioning fund to discharge British Energy's liabilities.

British Nuclear Group

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much money HM Treasury estimates it will receive from the sale of British Nuclear Group; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: It is too early to say how much the sale is likely to yield. The emphasis will be on getting value for the taxpayer by improving the effectiveness of UK clean-up.

Budget Statement

Michael Weir: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the Budget Statement of 22 March 2006, Official Report, column 300, what are the other energy assets referred to; and what estimate he has made of their value.

Barry Gardiner: holding answer 30 March 2006
	Through BNFL, the Government own a number of energy related businesses. Other than Westinghouse (which is in the process of being sold to Toshiba for $5.4 billion), BNFL also owns British Nuclear Group (which includes Project Services and BIL Solutions Ltd), Nexia and a 33 per cent. stake in Urenco. The Government also own the UK Atomic Energy Authority.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced to the House earlier today that he has given his formal agreement to the sale of British Nuclear Group. The Government have not commissioned any assessment of the value of any of these businesses.

Business Links

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what requirements there are on development agencies allocating contracts for Business Links brokerage models to ensure that they conform to the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 in their (a) recruitment, (b) subcontracting, (c) membership of boards and (d) customer service.

Alun Michael: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave him on 22 March 2006, Official Report, column 385W.

Capita Group

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what meetings (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have held with directors and senior executives of (i) Capita Group plc and (ii) its subsidiaries since 1 January 2004; and whether (A) Capita Group plc and (B) its subsidiaries have provided input (1) in writing and (2) in person to policy discussions in his Department since 1 January 2004.

Alan Johnson: The Minister for Trade, my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley, South (Ian Pearson) met Veredus, a subsidiary of Capital Group Plc on 17 October 2005. Veredus did not provide input either in writing or in person to policy discussions in this Department.

Civil Service

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he is taking to achieve equal pay for equal work in the civil service.

Meg Munn: The Government is committed to promoting equal pay for equal value of work both in the civil service and the private sector. Although the gender pay gap in the civil service is 25 per cent., this does not take account of the different responsibility levels across the civil service and therefore does not compare equal work. When the gender gap is compared by responsibility level the pay gap is around 5 per cent.
	Every Department and agency in the civil service produced an equal pay action plan in 2003 as part of the Government's commitment to address the gender pay gap. All implemented specific measures to rectify identified problemsand these are lowering the gender pay gap further in Departments. The findings from the reviews were generally encouraging and there is no evidence of any deliberate gender discrimination. Departments and agencies are taking prompt action to address gender pay gaps and are aiming to resolve any unjustifiable gaps in the shortest possible time. The indications are that the work being undertaken by Departments and agencies is having the desired impact of reducing the gender pay gap.
	Cabinet office continues to offer advice and guidance and spread good practice. Key to this is encouraging the use of the 'Guidance on Equal Pay for Government Departments and Agencies' (issued January 2002), which provides a practical working set of guidelines for undertaking an equal pay review and an ongoing checklist for monitoring reward systems against all forms of discrimination.

Climate Change Levy

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the North West Development Agency has to assist businesses to cope with the climate change levy, with particular reference to the textile industry.

Alun Michael: The NWDA is co-ordinating DEFRA's Business Resource Efficiency and Waste (BREW) programme in the North West. BREW provides support to businesses to improve their resource efficiency, working together with national organisations such as the Carbon Trust and regional partners such as ENWORKS and the Manufacturing Advisory Service. This practical support helps businesses in the North West textile and other manufacturing sectors to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and therefore incur lower charges under the climate change levy.

Copyright

Mark Fisher: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the economic implications of inability to trace the owners of copyright in orphan art works;
	(2)  if he will establish a code of conduct for the use of orphan art works and their copyright.

Barry Gardiner: I am not aware of any economic assessments in this area in the UK. The issue of 'orphan works' is currently under consideration by Andrew Gowers in his independent review of the IP framework. The Government look forward to receiving his recommendations on this and other IP issues in due course.

Cyber Crime

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the cost of cyber crime to UK business.

Alun Michael: I understand that the Serious and Organised Crime Agency (SOCA) will have a significantly stronger cyber crime function than that of its precursor agencies. Officials in the Department work closely with their colleges in the Home Office, as well as in SOCA precursor units, on action to prevent cyber crime, and Ministers at DTI will discuss such issues with Home Office colleagues as appropriate.

Electricity

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much electricity has been (a) generated and (b) consumed in the North East in each year since 1997.

Malcolm Wicks: Data on the generation of electricity are not available on a region by region basis. Data on the sales of electricity in each Government office region have been produced on an experimental basis for 2003 and 2004 based on electricity metering points. The data therefore exclude consumption of electricity by businesses that generate their own electricity. In 2003 sales of electricity to consumers in the North East region were 12,222 GWh and in 2004, 12,708 GWh, although quality improvements to these experimental statistics may account for some of the change between the two years.
	Prior to 2003 the only available data were for the volume of electricity distributed in the North East distribution network operator area as shown in the following table. The North East DNO area covers a larger area than the North East Government office region.
	
		Electricity distributed in the North East DNO area
		
			  GWh 
		
		
			 1997 15,739 
			 1998 15,872 
			 1999 16,012 
			 2000 16,297 
			 2001 16,926 
			 2002 16,760 
			 2003 16,690 
		
	
	Source:
	Digests of UK Energy Statistics 1998 to 2004.

EU Tariffs

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list EU tariff charges which were agreed in (a) 200304, (b) 200405 and (c) 200506.

Ian Pearson: This information can be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Export and Custom Powers (Defence) Act 1939

Rob Marris: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what dates the Export and Custom Powers (Defence) Act 1939 has been used since it was amended in 1990; and for which imports.

Malcolm Wicks: The powers in the Import, Export and Customs Powers (Defence) Act 1939, as amended by the Import and Export Control Act 1990, have been exercised on a continual basis since 1990. The powers under the Act are implemented through the Open General Import Licence which allows all goods to be freely imported unless they are listed in the licence.
	Since 1990, the Open General Import Licence has been amended on 177 occasions. A summary list of the amendments is set out in the following table.
	
		Amendments to the Open General Import Licence since December 1990
		
			 Date of change Subject 
		
		
			 31 January 1991 Revision to free circulation and surveillance licensing 
			 5 February 1991 Removal of surveillance licensing for textile originating in Malta 
			 7 March 1991 Introduction of surveillance licensing for fertilizer 
			 13 March 1991 Removal of UN sanctions against Kuwait 
			 28 March 1991 Revision to iron and steel surveillance licensing 
			 29 March 1991 Introduction of outward processing for textiles in Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and Romania 
			 21 May 1991 Imposition of import embargo of American Pit Bull terrier fighting dogs 
			 26 June 1991 Revision to licensing for textiles originating in Romania 
			 2 August 1991 Extending embargo of fighting dogs to other breeds 
			 16 August 1991 Revision to licensing for textiles originating in the Soviet Union 
			 20 September 1991 Imposition of quotas for textile category 3 originating in India and Pakistan 
			 3 October 1991 Removal of import licensing requirements for goods subject to inward processing arrangements 
			 23 November 1991 Imposition of quota for textile category 36 originating in South Korea 
			 10 January 1992 Removal of fertilizer surveillance licensing 
			 9 January 1992 Removal of free circulation licensing for textile category 13 originating in China and Pakistan 
			 17 January 1992 Removal of some textile quotas against Czechoslovakia, Hungary and Poland 
			 31 January 1992 Revision to surveillance licensing for iron and steel 
			 7 February 1992 Removal of certain UN sanctions against South Africa 
			 14 February 1992 Imposition of quota for textile category 1 originating in Thailand 
			 9 March 1992 Revision to the coverage of the State Trading Area 
			 3 April 1992 Revision to State Trading Area textile licensing 
			 1 May 1992 Introduction of surveillance licensing for unwrought aluminium 
			 31 May 1992 Imposition of UN sanctions against the Former Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) 
			 14 August 1992 Imposition of quota for textile category 1 originating in Indonesia 
			 21 August 1992 Introduction of surveillance licensing for slippers and other indoor footwear originating in China 
			 9 October 1992 Imposition of quota for textile category 9 originating in India 
			 23 October 1992 Imposition of quota for textile categories 6 and 18 originating in Pakistan 
			 6 November 1992 Imposition of quota for textile category 97 against Thailand and 21 originating in Indonesia 
			 26 November 1992 Imposition of quota for textile category 35 originating in Indonesia 
			 1 December 1992 Introduction of surveillance textile licensing against Bangladesh 
			 4 December 1992 Suspension of surveillance textile licensing against Bangladesh 
			 1 January 1993 Revisions necessary due to the Weapons Directive 
			 1 January 1993 Removal of embargo against fighting dogs 
			 15 January 1993 Revisions to textile quotas and surveillance licensing 
			 20 January 1993 Revisions to iron and steel surveillance licensing 
			 22 January 1993 Imposition of quota for textile categories 21 and 35 originating in Indonesia 
			 22 January 1993 Removal of quota for textile category 10 originating in Pakistan 
			 5 February 1993 Re-introduction of surveillance textile licensing against Bangladesh 
			 5 February 1993 Revisions to textile licensing against Vietnam 
			 5 February 1993 Extension of coverage of outward processing for textiles 
			 10.2.1993 Removal of surveillance licensing for slippers and other indoor footwear originating in China 
			 19 February 1993 Removal of Mongolian textile licensing 
			 5 March 1993 Removal of licensing against nuclear materials from rest of European Community 
			 27 February 1993 Revisions to iron and steel quotas against Former Soviet Union, Bulgaria and Romania 
			 2 April 1993 Imposition of quota for textile category 20 originating in Thailand 
			 26 April 1993 Revisions to the UN sanctions against the Former Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY) 
			 1 May 1993 Revisions to textile licensing against Belarus, Romania, Thailand and Vietnam 
			 7 May 1993 Removal of textile quotas against Romania and changes to UN sanctions against FRY 
			 21 May 1993 Removal of Romania from the State Trading area 
			 4 June 1993 Imposition of licensing regime against textiles originating in the Ukraine 
			 1 July 1993 Revisions to licensing of firearms and ammunition 
			 1 July 1993 Removal of licensing arrangements for bananas 
			 10 August 1993 Introduction of surveillance licensing for unwrought aluminium originating in the former Soviet Union 
			 17 September 1993 Adding Namibia to the ACP list of countries and Eritrea to the Residual Textile Area in the OGIL 
			 5 November 1993 Removal of textile licensing requirements against Cambodia and Laos 
			 19 November 1993 Removal of textile licensing against FRY 
			 19 November 1993 Imposition of quota for textile category 163 originating in China 
			 14 January 1994 Revisions to Former Soviet Union textile licensing 
			 27 January 1994 Revisions to surveillance licensing for iron and steel 
			 3 March 1994 Removal of surveillance licensing for unwrought aluminium originating in the former Soviet Union 
			 13 March 1994 Revisions to textile licensing as a result of the Single Market 
			 14 March 1994 Revisions to Chinese non-textile licensing as a result of the Single Market 
			 15 March 1994 Imposition of quota for textile category 97 originating in China 
			 22 April 1994 Imposition of quota for textile category 33 originating in Indonesia 
			 3 May 1994 Imposition of quota for textile category 28 and 68 originating in China 
			 22 May 1994 Imposition of UN sanctions against Haiti 
			 27 May 1994 Imposition of quota for textile category 28 originating in Pakistan 
			 17 October 1994 Removal of UN sanctions against Haiti 
			 25 November 1994 Imposition of quota on additional textile categories against China, India and Indonesia 
			 1 January 1995 Revision to iron and steel surveillance licensing 
			 1 January 1995 Changes due to EU enlargement 
			 27 January 1995 Imposition of quota for textile category 29 originating in China 
			 26 January 1995 Revision to iron and steel surveillance licensing 
			 17 March 1995 Revisions to the quotas for Chinese leather gloves and footwear 
			 24 March 1995 Revisions to FSU (Estonia) textile licensing 
			 4 April 1995 Acceptance of common textile import licence 
			 24 May 1995 Introduction of common rules for economic outward processing 
			 2 June 1995 Revisions to Chinese non-Mfa textile licensing 
			 13 July 1995 Revised licensing arrangements for iron and steel originating in Belarus, Soviet Union, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and North Korea 
			 27 October 1995 Revised licensing arrangements for textiles originating in Morocco 
			 24 November 1995 Introduction of surveillance licensing on textiles originating in United Arab Emirates 
			 23 November 1995 Removal of UN sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro 
			 22 December 1995 Revised licensing arrangements for textiles originating in Turkey, Poland, Hungary and Romania 
			 12 January 1996 Revised licensing arrangements for textiles originating in Vietnam 
			 23 February 1996 Revised licensing arrangements for iron and steel 
			 28 February 1996 Amendments to economic outward processing for textiles in Vietnam, Ukraine and China 
			 28 February 1996 Removal of UN sanctions against Bosnian Serbs 
			 26 March 1996 Amendments to economic outward processing for textiles and iron and steel regulations 
			 2 April 1996 Revised licensing arrangements for textiles originating in Serbia and Montenegro 
			 3 April 1996 Revised licensing arrangements for non-textiles originating in China 
			 14 May 1996 Revised licensing arrangements for iron and steel originating in Czech Republic 
			 7 June 1996 Introduction of surveillance licensing on certain textiles originating in United Arab Emirates 
			 04 July 1996 Revised licensing arrangements for non-textiles originating in China 
			 30 July 1996 Revised arrangements for economic outward processing for certain textiles in China 
			 7 October 1996 Revised licensing arrangements for non-textiles originating in China 
			 1 January 1997 Revised licensing arrangements for textiles originating in Russian Federation and amendments to certain entries relating to iron and steel 
			 31 January 1997 Revised licensing arrangements for iron and steel originating in Bulgaria, Romania, Czech Republic and Slovak Republic 
			 29 April 1997 Prohibition of toxic chemicals or precursors to chemical weapons 
			 2 May 1997 Revised licensing arrangements for non-textiles originating in China 
			 30 June 1997 Prohibition of importation of air weapons powered by compressed carbon dioxide 
			 8 August 1997 Revised licensing arrangements on textiles originating in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 
			 29 August 1997 Revised licensing arrangements for iron and steel 
			 17 October 1997 Revised licensing arrangements for iron and steel 
			 21 November 1997 Revised licensing arrangements for iron and steel originating in Russian Federation 
			 1 January 1998 Revised licensing arrangements for textiles originating in various countries 
			 16 January 1998 Revised licensing arrangements for iron and steel originating in Kazakhstan and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 
			 30 January 1998 Revised licensing arrangements for iron and steel originating in Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Romania and Slovak Republic 
			 2 February 1998 Removal of licensing arrangements on certain textiles originating in Latvia and Lithuania 
			 17 April 1998 Revised licensing arrangements for iron and steel 
			 1 May 1998 Suspension of restrictions on textiles originating in Russian Federation 
			 3 June 1998 Revised licensing arrangements on toys originating in China 
			 22 July 1998 Introduction of surveillance licensing on certain textiles originating in Russian Federation 
			 4 August 1998 Imposition of restrictions on imports of diamonds from Angola 
			 1 December 1998 Introduction of surveillance licensing on textiles originating in Laos 
			 18 January 1999 Removal of licensing restrictions on iron and steel originating in Turkey 
			 18 February 1999 Amendment to iron and steel regulations 
			 24 February 1999 Imposition of restrictions on the importation of anti-personnel mines 
			 23 April 1999 Imposition of restrictions on the importation of bras and briefs 
			 7 June 1999 Revision to Vietnamese textile licensing 
			 16 August 1999 Revision to Cambodian textile licensing 
			 1 January 2000 Revision to licensing on textiles originating in the former Soviet Union and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia 
			 7 January 2000 Introduction of surveillance licensing on Vietnamese footwear 
			 1 March 2000 Revision to Nepalese textile licensing 
			 26 April 2000 Revised restrictions on the importation of precursors to chemical weapons 
			 17 July 2000 Imposition of restrictions on imports of diamonds from Sierra Leone 
			 17 August 2000 Revision to restrictions on imports of diamonds from Sierra Leone 
			 20 November 2000 Revision to restrictions on imports of diamonds from Sierra Leone and precursors to chemical weapons 
			 1 January 2001 Removal of restrictions on textiles originating in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and revision to licensing arrangements for textiles originating in Croatia 
			 3 January 2001 Amendments to iron and steel commodity codes for 2001 
			 20 February 2001 Revised licensing arrangements for iron and steel originating in Czech Republic 
			 9 March 2001 Revised licensing arrangements for textiles originating in Bosnia and Herzegovina and introduction of surveillance licensing on textiles originating in Sri Lanka 
			 26 March 2001 Revised licensing arrangements for textiles originating in Ukraine and iron and steel originating in Poland 
			 2 May 2001 Imposition of restrictions on imports of diamonds originating in Liberia 
			 25 May 2001 Revised licensing arrangements for category 1 textiles originating in Syria 
			 11 December 2001 Revised licensing arrangements on textiles originating in China 
			 1 January 2002 Revised licensing arrangements on textiles originating in various countries 
			 2 January 2002 Revised licensing arrangements on textiles originating in China, Hong Kong, the Republic of Korea, Macao, Pakistan and Taiwan 
			 4 February 2002 Amendments to iron and steel commodity codes for 2002 
			 1 April 2002 Revised licensing arrangements on textiles originating in Ukraine 
			 2 August 2002 Imposition of restrictions on certain textiles originating in North Korea 
			 12 August 2002 Amendments to commodity codes and regulations for iron and steel for 2002 
			 6 September 2002 Revised licensing arrangements for iron and steel originating in Romania 
			 23 September 2002 Amendment correcting errors in previous amendment 
			 13 November 2002 Revision to licensing arrangements for textiles originating in Brazil 
			 1 January 2003 Revision to euro rate, inward processing for firearms and nuclear materials 
			 1 January 2003 Removal of surveillance licensing arrangements for footwear originating in Vietnam 
			 9 January 2003 Revision to iron and steel surveillance 
			 1 February 2003 Removal of UN restrictions on imports of diamonds from Angola 
			 27 February 2003 Revised licensing arrangements for textiles originating in Ukraine 
			 10 March 2003 Removal of surveillance licensing on non-textiles originating in China 
			 28 May 2003 Removal of UN sanctions against Iraq 
			 3 June 2003 Imposition of UN restrictions on illegally removed Iraqi cultural property 
			 6 June 2003 Removal of restrictions on diamonds from Sierra Leone 
			 17 June 2003 Removal of UN restrictions on illegally removed Iraqi cultural property 
			 7 July 2003 Impositions of restrictions on certain wooden articles from Liberia 
			 11 July 2003 Revised licensing arrangements on iron and steel originating in Slovak Republic 
			 1 August 2003 Revised licensing arrangements for footwear originating in Vietnam 
			 29 August 2003 Revised licensing arrangements for iron and steel originating in Romania 
			 12 September 2003 Revised licensing arrangements for iron and steel originating in Russian Federation 
			 5 January 2004 Removal of licensing arrangements on textiles category 2 originating in Uzbekistan 
			 19 January 2004 Removal of licensing arrangements on textiles originating in Egypt and Macedonia 
			 23 January 2004 Prohibition on importation of air weapons using a self-contained gas cartridge system 
			 13 February 2004 Amendments to iron and steel commodity codes for 2004 
			 1 May 2004 Amendment to incorporate the enlargement of the European Community 
			 29 October 2004 Imposition of surveillance licensing on Moldovan iron and steel 
			 1 January 2005 Revised licensing arrangements on textiles from various countries and amendments to commodity codes for iron and steel 
			 1 February 2005 Introduction of surveillance licensing on footwear from China 
			 1 April 2005 Revised licensing arrangements on textiles from various countries 
			 4 April 2005 Revised licensing arrangements on textiles originating in Vietnam 
			 12 April 2005 Revised licensing arrangements on textiles originating in Vietnam 
			 1 June 2005 Revised licensing arrangements on textiles originating in Vietnam 
			 1 July 2005 Removal of licensing arrangements on textiles originating in Serbia 
			 15 August 2005 Re-imposition of quotas on certain textiles originating in China 
			 1 January 2006 Removal of surveillance licensing on textiles originating in China 
			 16 January 2006 Introduction of outward processing for textiles in China and amendment to iron and steel regulations 
			 1 February 2006 Removal of licensing arrangements on footwear originating in China 
			 30 March 2006 Amendments to iron and steel commodity codes for 2006

Export Credits Guarantee Department

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the five clients and companies involved in the highest volume of trade supported by the Export Credits Guarantee Department in (a) 200304 and (b) 200405.

Ian Pearson: The Export Credits Guarantee Department's top five customers in terms of value of guarantees supported in the financial years 200304 and 200405 were:
	200304
	BAE Systems Limited
	Airbus S.A.S.
	Bombardier Incorporated
	Snamprogetti Limited
	Siemens Industrial Turbomachinery Limited.
	200405
	BAE Systems Limited
	Airbus S.A.S.
	MAN Limited
	VAI Industries (UK) Limited
	Motorola Limited.
	ECGD support for Airbus aircraft frequently encompasses support for Rolls-Royce aero engines.

Financial Advice (Estate Agents)

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will outlaw practices whereby estate agents will not bring forward a property for sale unless a customer uses a financial adviser recommended by that estate agent.

Gerry Sutcliffe: Discriminatory conduct by an estate agent against prospective purchasers who do not accept additional services, from which the estate agent would derive financial benefit, is classified as an undesirable practice by the Estate Agents (Undesirable Practices) (No 2) Order 1991. Under the Order an undesirable practice includes any 'discrimination against a prospective purchaser by an estate agent on the grounds that that purchaser will not be, or is unlikely to be, accepting services'. The Office of Fair Trading can issue warning orders against persons who engage in an undesirable practice and ultimately prohibit those persons from doing estate agency work.

Foreign Direct Investment

Theresa Villiers: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the amount of foreign direct investment has been into the UK in each year since 1997 (a) including and (b) excluding mergers and acquisitions.

Alan Johnson: Information on the total value of foreign direct investment into the UK is given in the following table. Information on foreign direct investment into the UK excluding mergers and acquisitions is not available.
	
		Total foreign direct investment into the UK 19972005
		
			  billioncurrent prices 
			  Flows Stocks 
		
		
			 1997 22.9 173.7 
			 1998 45.1 213.6 
			 1999 55.1 250.3 
			 2000 80.6 310.4 
			 2001 37.3 363.6 
			 2002 16.8 339.8 
			 2003 12.8 356.7 
			 2004 42.4 383.9 
			 2005 90.5 474.3 
		
	
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics, United Kingdom balance of payments

Gas Prices

Stewart Hosie: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of gas price rises on (a) elderly and (b) vulnerable people in rural areas.

Malcolm Wicks: Recent increases in gas prices will have had a negative impact on the affordability of energy for vulnerable groups, including the elderly. Government are addressing this issue through tackling fuel poverty. A household is said to be fuel poor if it needs to spend more than 10 per cent. of its income on all fuel use and to heat the home to an adequate standard of warmth.
	Fuel poverty is devolved to the Scottish Executive, and falls within the portfolio of the Minister for Communities. The Fuel Poverty in Scotland Report was published in April 2004. It provides a detailed analysis of the information available on fuel poverty using the 2002 Scottish House Condition Survey. This shows that the number of households in fuel poverty in Scotland in 2002 was 286,000 (13 per cent.). Analysis of fuel poverty data for England suggests that energy price rises will have significantly increased the level of fuel poverty in the UK between 2002 and 2006.
	Work on the best way to tackle fuel poverty in the light of rising energy prices is being taken forward in the context of the Energy Review.

Geothermal Energy

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the policy of the Government is on the production of energy from geothermal sources.

Malcolm Wicks: Between 1976 and the early 1990's the UK carried out a major Geothermal Research Programme at a cost in excess of 50 million. The key conclusions from the programme were that the UK is unlikely to see major developments based upon geothermal aquifers or the hot dry rock (HDR) method due to a limited resource, poor economics and limited scope for their application.
	Unless the technical, practical and economic constraints identified under the previous Geothermal Programme can be addressed, the prospects for geothermal power in the UK would appear to be limited.
	More recently interest has been growing in the use of Ground Source Heat Pumps. This technology can be applied to buildings of virtually any scale including domestic dwellings. It relies on heat exchange with the ground immediately beneath or close to buildings. There are at least 15 installations connected to commercial or public buildings in the UK, including the recently opened Welsh Assembly building.
	Both Defra and the DTI, in collaboration with the Heat Pump Association, have helped establish a UK Heat Pump Network to develop a partnership between manufacturers, specialist advisers, and user groups. This network will ensure that independent and authoritative advice is available on the application and use of heat pumps.

Gwynt y Mor Offshore Wind Farm

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the proximity is in metres of the proposed Gwynt y Mor offshore wind farm to the nearest shipping lane.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to the environmental statement prepared by the developer for this project. This includes information on traffic data showing vessel tracks across the proposed wind farm site and the developer's proposal for a traffic routeing measure to address some of the navigation safety concerns.

Home Computing Initiative

David Gauke: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the cost was to the Department of offering its staff participation in the Home Computing Initiative.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 30 March 2006
	The Home Computer Initiative was offered to DTI, and Insolvency Service staff as part of a wider Salary Sacrifice Scheme covering childcare vouchers and bikes for commuting to work. The costs to the Department of the contract for provision of all three elements of the salary sacrifice scheme should be fully met by the savings in employers' national insurance contributions that results from the salary sacrifices made. A total of 43,000 was spent by the Department and Insolvency Service on payroll testing and in respect of legal fees for setting up the contract for provision of this service.

India

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the UK's trading relationship with India.

Ian Pearson: UK Exports to India show a 27.4 per cent. increase to November 2005 compared to the same period in 2004. UK imports from India increased by 20.1 per cent. during the same period.
	The UK is the 5th biggest investor in India with UK companies involved in 9.8 per cent. of all new FDI into India since 1991. Indian investment into the UK is growing rapidly when measured in terms of investment projects and jobs created. Up to the 31 December 2005 UKTI had assisted 33 Indian companies invest in the UK, up 22 per cent. on 2004.
	As the Indian economy continues to grow, it is vital that businesses in UK seize the opportunities on offer. The Government will increase its effort to support British business to access the Indian market.

Low Carbon Buildings Programme

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will extend the Low Carbon Buildings Programme to a six year programme as set out in his Department's June 2005 Low Carbon Buildings Programme consultation document; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The Low Carbon Buildings Programme will run for three years. Our longer-term commitment to this sector is demonstrated through our Microgeneration Strategy which was launched on 29 March 2006.

Low Carbon Buildings Programme

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the budget for (a) community and (b) domestic installations under his Department's Low Carbon Buildings Programme for 2006.

Malcolm Wicks: Under the original 30 million budget allocation and following an informal consultation with industry the amounts that will be available for community and domestic installations for 2006 are:
	(a) 1.5 million
	(b) 3 million
	On 23 March the Budget 2006 announced an additional 50 million for the programme. The Department will be considering urgently with Treasury colleagues how this money should be allocated.
	The new programme will be launched on 3 April 2006. www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk.

Low Carbon Buildings Programme

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when his Department will announce the launch date for the low carbon buildings programme.

Malcolm Wicks: The launch of the new programme was announced at the climate change programme review event on 28 March. The website will be launched on 3 April 2006 with details of the how to apply for grants.

Low Carbon Buildings Programme

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps his Department is taking to ensure that the Low Carbon Buildings Programme will meet the demand for household renewable energy grants.

Malcolm Wicks: As a result of an informal consultation with key stakeholders on the outline of the programme the allocation for householders was set at 3 million for the first year.
	On 23 March the Budget 2006 announced an additional 50 million for the programme. The Department will be considering urgently with Treasury colleagues how this money should be allocated.
	The new programme will be launched on 3 April 2006. www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk.

Madagascar

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the value of trade was between the UK and Madagascar in each year since 2001.

Ian Pearson: The value of trade between the UK and Madagascar in each year since 2001 was as follows:
	
		 million
		
			  UK Exports UK Imports 
		
		
			 2001 6.7 25.0 
			 2002 3.0 17.9 
			 2003 6.0 16.6 
			 2004 9.3 15.5 
			 2005 6.6 15.5 
		
	
	Note:
	Current price data, Overseas Trade Statistics basis.
	Source:
	Compiled by DTI Statistics from HM Revenue and Customs data.

Media Monitoring

Philip Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much his Department has spent on media monitoring activities in each of the last eight financial years.

Alan Johnson: The following table sets out how much the DTI has spent on media monitoring in the last six financial years. Finance records are only required to be kept for six years and it would therefore incur disproportionate cost to go back any further.
	
		
			  Total () 
		
		
			 19992000 312,645.94 
			 200001 276,838.60 
			 200102 393,806.69 
			 200203 282,067.55 
			 200304 290,132.73 
			 200405 269,443.56

Micro-Renewables

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much capital grant support was allocated to micro-renewable energy installations under the Clearskies and Solar photovoltaics major demonstration programmes in 2005.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Morley and Rothwell (Colin Challen) on 28 March 2006, Official Report, column 862W.

Medical Research Facilities

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has (a) made and (b) received on the Medical Research Council's National Institute for Medical Research containment 4 status; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: My noble Friend Lord Sainsbury of Turville is being briefed on these issues as part of the overall briefing by the MRC's Chief Executive, Professor Colin Blakemore, on MRC's plans for moving the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) to a new site.

Medical Research Facilities

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate has been made of the refurbishment costs for the Mill Hill medical research site in North London; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: MRC are currently developing the detailed business case with UCL. This is an expensive project. MRC will find a large proportion of these costs but have approached OST for a contribution from the Large Facilities Capital Fund, where it is being assessed against competing priorities.

Medical Research Facilities

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many medical research facilities there are in England; and what the containment status is of each facility.

Barry Gardiner: Information on the number of medical research facilities in England is not held centrally. The Health and Safety Executive's records show that there are 115 containment level 3 research facilities currently located in England. These facilities are used for laboratory work in the research and biotechnology sectors, and are located in universities, medical schools, research council funded institutes and units, and pharmaceutical companies.
	There are four high hazard containment level 4 facilities currently operating in England. These are used for research and diagnostic work for human pathogens.

Medical Research Facilities

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment has been made of the need to maintain a containment 4 facility to protect staff and prevent escape of pathogens from the National Institute for Medical Research site in Mill Hill; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: My noble Friend Lord Sainsbury of Turville is being briefed on these issues as part of the overall briefing by the MRC's Chief Executive, Professor Colin Blakemore, on MRC's plans for moving the National Institute for Medical Research (NIMR) to a new site.

Medical Research Facilities

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent discussions he has with the Treasury on funding for the Mill Hill medical research centre.

Barry Gardiner: MRC are currently developing the detailed business case with UCL. This is an expensive project. MRC will find a large proportion of these costs but have approached OST for a contribution from the Large Facilities Capital Fund, where it is being assessed against competing priorities.

Ministerial Visits

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the (a) destination, (b) date and (c) purpose was of each overseas visit made on official business by each Minister in his Department since May 2005.

Alan Johnson: holding answer 30 March 2006
	The Secretary of State undertook the following overseas ministerial visits since May 2005
	
		
			 Destination Date Purpose of visit 
		
		
			 Luxembourg 12 June 2005 Employment and Social Affairs Council 
			 Luxembourg 6 June 2005 Competitiveness Council 
			 Brussels 14 June 2005 Meeting Key People and MEPs 
			 Paris 30 June1 July 2005 European Dinner and Bilateral Mtgs 
			 Brussels 13 July 2005 Address European Parliament (EP) Presidency 
			 Brussels 18 July 2005 Informal EU Trade Ministers' Dinner 
			 Brussels 12 September 2005 EP Regional Affairs Committee plus mtgs with MEPs 
			 Luxembourg 1011 October 2005 Competitiveness Council 
			 Athens 2425 October 2005 Signing Ceremony of the Treaty of the Energy Community 
			 Brussels 2122 November 2005 General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) 
			 Brussels 2830 November 2005 Competitiveness Council 
			 Brussels 78 December 2005 Employment Council 
			 Hong Kong 1019 December 2005 World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial 
			 Davos, Switzerland 2628 January 2006 World Economic Forum Annual Mtg 
			 South Africa 1012 February 2006 Trade Visit and Progressive Governance Summit 
			 Australia and Japan 28 February8 March 2006 Trade and Investment Visit 
			 Moscow, Russia 1516 March 2006 G8 Energy Ministerial Mtg 
		
	
	Lord Sainsbury undertook the following overseas ministerial visits since May 2005.
	
		
			 Destination Date Purpose of visit 
		
		
			 Brussels 10 May 2005 Competitiveness Council 
			 Luxembourg 67 June 2005 Competitiveness Council and Space Council 
			 Brussels 22 June, 2005 To meet the European Commissioner and various MEPs to discuss the European Research Council 
			 Brussels 13 July 2005 Industry, Research and Energy Committee meeting 
			 Nice 1 October 2005 Global Chemical Industry European Convention 
			 Luxembourg 11 October 2005 Competitiveness Council 
			 Brussels 17 November 2005 Colloqium on State Aid for Innovation 
			 Brussels 2829 November 2005 Competitiveness Council 
			 Berlin 56 December 2005 European Space Agency Ministerial Council 
			 Brussels 13 December 2005 Competitiveness Council 
			 India 1623 February 2006 Ministerial visit to push forward international linkages on science and innovation 
		
	
	Meg Munn undertook the following overseas ministerial visits since May 2005.
	
		
			 Destination Date Purpose of visit 
		
		
			 Brussels 13 July 2005 to appear in front of the European Parliament Women's Committee, speech outlined the UK Government plans during the UK EU Presidency in the area of gender equality. 
		
	
	Ian Pearson undertook the following overseas ministerial visits since May 2005.
	
		
			 Destination Date Purpose of visit 
		
		
			 Geneva 1920 October 2005 Bilaterals 
			 Hong Kong 1019 December 2005 WTO Ministerial 
			 India/Sri Lanka 1420 January 2006 CII Conference/bilaterals 
			 Brazil 29 January2 February 2006 Bilaterals 
			 Russian/Ukraine 1924 February 2006 Bilaterals 
			 Libya 47 March 2006 Bilaterals 
			 Paris 30-March 2006 Wilton Park Conference 
			 Hong Kong/China 17 April Bilaterals 
		
	
	Barry Gardiner undertook the following overseas ministerial visits since May 2005.
	
		
			 Destination Date Purpose of visit 
		
		
			 Slovenia 14 June 2005 Various bilaterals with counterpart and other Ministers (UK Presidency Commitment) 
			 Estonia 21 June 2005 Various bilaterals with counterpart and other Ministers (UK Presidency Commitment) 
			 Norway 31 August 2005 Various bilaterals with counterpart and other organisation on Postal liberalisation 
			 Copenhagen 17 November 2005 Speech: Copenhagen PPP Global Summit and various bilaterals with counterparts 
			 Brussels 2829 November 2005 UK Presidency of the EU (Formal Council of Ministers meetings with a DTI Interest)Research element 
			 Brussels 30 November 2005 Speech: 20th Anniversary of !New Approach' Directives (as part of the Presidency programme) 
			 Washington DC, USA 67 December 2005 Speech: PPP Americas Summit, Washington USA Bilateral on Postal Services 
			 Brussels 30 January 2006 Various Bilaterals on UK policy on EU postal liberalisation: objectives, strategy and tactics 
			 Brussels 7 February 2006 To discuss Services Directive 
			 Strasbourg 14 February 2006 To discuss Services Directive 
			 Brussels 13 March 2006 Competitiveness Council 
			 Netherlands 28 March 2006 Bilateral with counterpart on postal liberalisation 
		
	
	Malcolm Wicks undertook the following overseas ministerial visits since May 2005
	
		
			 Destination Date Purpose of visit 
		
		
			 Brussels 910 June 2005 EU OPEC Dialogue 
			 Brussels 21 June 2005 European Committee 
			 Luxembourg 2728 June 2005 Energy Council 
			 Brussels 13 July 2005 European Committee 
			 Moscow 1113 September 2005 Bilaterals 
			 Washington and Tampa, USA 1823 September 2005 Bilaterals 
			 Brussels 21 November 2005 Keynote Speech (Renewable Energy for Europe) 
			 Brussels 1 December 2005 Energy Council 
			 Vienna 2 December 2005 EU OPEC Ministerial Meeting Dialogue 
			 Oslo 25 February 2006 Sanderstolen Conference 
			 Brussels 14 March 2006 Energy Extraordinary Council 
		
	
	Gerry Sutcliffe undertook the following overseas ministerial visits since May 2005
	
		
			 Destination Date Purpose of visit 
		
		
			 Brussels 17 May 2005 Working Time bilateral discussions 
			 Luxemburg 2 June 2005 Employment Council and Bilateral meetings (EU) 
			 Brussels 11 July 2005 MEP Briefings on UK Presidency 
			 Warsaw Poland 1415 November 2005 Working Time Discussion with Polish Ministers 
			 Brussels 78 December 2005 Employment Council (EU) 
			 Austria (Vilach) 1920 January 2006 Employment Informal Meeting (EU) 
			 Austria (Vienna) 12 February 2006 Demographic Conference arranged by Austrian Presidency (EU) 
		
	
	Alun Michael undertook the following overseas ministerial visits since May 2005.
	
		
			 Destination Date Purpose of visit 
		
		
			 Luxembourg 1920 May 2005 Structural funds event 
			 Berlin 7 June 2005 Telecoms related bilaterals 
			 Paris 1213 June 2005 Paris Airshow 
			 Luxembourg 2627 June 2005 Telecoms Council 
			 Strasbourg 5 July 2005 European Parliament: structural funds 
			 Brussels 13 July 2005 European Parliament's ITRE committee 
			 Brussels 1415 September 2005 Bioscience conference 
			 Brussels 10 October 2005 Structural funds event 
			 Tunis 1617 November 2005 World Summit on the Information Society 
			 Brussels 30 November2 December 2005 Telecoms Council 
			 Budapest, Hungary 1213 January 2006 ICT conference 
			 Vienna, Austria 810 February 2006 ICT conference and bilaterals

Mobile Phones

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will introduce proposals to require the registration of the name and address of owners of pay as you go mobile telephones.

Alun Michael: I along with my right hon. Friend the Home Secretary have considered proposals for compulsory registration of mobile phone pre-pay users. However, a number of technical and financial implications have arisen. Some 33 per cent. of pre-pay mobile phone users change handsets, SIM cards or networks in any one year, all of which would entail some amendments to existing records if initial registration had taken place. If compulsory registration was introduced the estimated unit cost of 6 per SIM to administer, associated with this single aspect would not be insignificant and would have to be added to the costs associated with initial registration including, if found necessary, retrospective registration of all existing 41 million users. A compulsory registration scheme would only achieve its purpose if the information given was checked and verified. To do this would add considerable cost and delay to the purchase of a pre-pay phone. We do not at this stage believe the imposition of this burden is warranted.
	The hon. Friend may or may not be aware of the industry's voluntary scheme of registration of pre-pay and post-pay users. Since January 2005 some 15 million (pre-pay and contract customers) have voluntarily registered their details via the industry/law enforcement run website (www.Immobilise.com). The Government believe this voluntary scheme is developing well and should be encouraged, and have decided not to include proposals to mandate the registration of prepaid mobile phones in the Counter Terrorism Bill that receives Royal assent in July 2006. However the wider issue of anonymity is being considered.

Neutron Facilities

John Grogan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to publish the report commissioned from the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils regarding the development of a strategy for future access to neutron facilities.

Barry Gardiner: The CCLRC published its UK Neutron Strategy Review on 29 March 2006.

Non-fossil Fuel and Renewables Obligations

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 9 January 2006, Official Report, column 290W, on non-fossil fuel and renewables obligations, what legal advice he was given regarding the powers available to him other than under the Sustainable Energy Act 2003 to make transfers from the Non-Fossil Fuel Obligation Fund to the consolidated fund.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer my hon. Friend, to my reply to the hon. Member for Leominster (Bill Wiggin) of 31 January 2006, Official Report, column 331W.

Non-fossil Fuel and Renewables Obligations

Michael Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 9 January 2006, Official Report, column 290W, on non-fossil fuel and renewables obligation, whether there have been any transfers from the Non-fossil Fuel Obligation Fund to the Consolidated Fund other than that made on 14 July 2004; and what plans there are to make transfers.

Malcolm Wicks: Since 14 July 2004 there has been one further transfer to the Consolidated Fund of 150 million which took place on 20 September 2005.
	Future transfers are likely to take place annually.

Northwest Development Agency

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the Northwest Development Agency has for (a) train, (b) bus and (c) road transport in Chorley.

Alun Michael: The Northwest Development Agency does not currently have any specific plans for train, bus and road transport in Chorley. The regional economic strategy (RES), that was formally launched on Monday 27 March 2006, contains the agreed regional priorities. In addition, the region has agreed specific road priorities through its advice to Government on the regional funding allocation in January 2006.

Northwest Development Agency

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans the Northwest Development Agency has in relation to (a) Chorley Town and (b) villages in Chorley constituency.

Alun Michael: The Northwest Development Agency does not currently have any specific plans relating to Chorley Town and surrounding villages. However, NWDA continues to support the successful development of the strategic regional site in Chorley. Investment of 1.3million by the agency towards the site has already secured the relocation of a major local employer, thereby safeguarding around 200 jobs in the Chorley area. The agency's REMADE Programme aimed at reclaiming derelict sites for public open space and environmental improvements throughout Lancashire includes a number of sites located on Chorley's urban fringe. The borough as a whole will also derive significant economic, social and environmental benefits from the implementation of the Central Lancashire City Region Development Programme.

Northwest Development Agency

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the likely impact of the Northwest Development Agency's support for the Northern Way on Chorley.

Alun Michael: I have made no specific assessment of the impact of the Northern Way on Chorley, but Chorley forms part of the Central Lancashire City Region which is a building block for greater economic benefit of the North of England. A city region is a key building block for the Northern Way.
	The Northwest Development Agency's regional economic strategy (RES) recognises the importance of the city region within which Chorley lies and is working with the Lancashire Economic Partnership and other partners to ensure that the economic potential of the city region is realised. The borough of Chorley as a whole will derive significant economic, social and environmental benefits from the implementation of the development programme over the next few years.

Open-cast Mining

David Mundell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the procedure is for renewing expired licences for open-cast mining in South Lanarkshire.

Malcolm Wicks: The procedure for making an application to the Coal Authority for a licence is described in the Authority's guidance notes to applicants which can be viewed on its website at www.coal.gov.uk by following the path Services, Licensing and Indemnities, Model documents.

Open-cast Mining

David Mundell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether (a) Poniel, (b) Auldton and Rougham Woods and (c) Mainshill Woods hold licences for open-cast mining in Lanarkshire.

Malcolm Wicks: The Coal Authority has not issued any licences for opencast mining in respect of Poniel, Auldton and Rougham Woods and Mainshill Woods. However Poniel might otherwise be known as Long Plantation and exploration licences have been granted for this site. These licences have now expired. In addition a site known as Dalquhandy might form part of Poniel and there is a current Coal Authority licence for this site.

Pipe Organs

David Chaytor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the impact of the EU directive on (a) restrictions on hazardous substances and (b) waste electrical and electronic equipment on the pipe organ building industry; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The repair and refurbishment of existing pipe organs (both now and in the future) will not be affected; neither will pipe organs that are not reliant on electricity to function. A total exemption for the manufacture of new pipe organs from the substances restrictions of the RoHS Directive would require a formal application by the industry to the European Commission (under Article 5.1 b). The Department has offered to work with the industry to help them develop such a case.
	A Full Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) on the RoHS Directive was published in September 2005. The Department of Trade and Industry continues to work closely with the European Commission, other member states and industry on the RoHS and WEEE Directives.

Pipe Organs

Anne Main: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the oral answer of 23 March 2006, Official Report, column 399 to the hon. Member for Mid-Worcestershire (Peter Luff), whether (a) individual pipe organ manufacturers must apply for an exemption and (b) the industry may apply for an exemption as a whole; and what information he has provided to the industry.

Malcolm Wicks: Exemptions to the RoHS Directive apply to specific applications of the heavy metals or brominated flame retardants in electrical and electronic equipment (such as the lead in the glass of cathode ray tubes), not to specific companies or specific products. Exemption requests are made by industry to the European Commission and need to be justified on the basis that there is no scientific or technical alternativenot on the basis of cost. DTI officials have provided information to the industry and met with them recently.

Post Office Card Account

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent representations he has received about the decision to end the Post Office card account; and if he will make a statement.

Barry Gardiner: I have received representations from the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters.

Postcodes

David Mundell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether his Department uses postcodes for purposes other than the postage of mail.

Alan Johnson: Postcodes are widely used in the Department but it is not possible to provide a detailed list of uses, because no central records are kept. The following examples are no more than indicative. Detailed postcodes can be readily linked to other geographical information, such as government region or ward and are frequently used to enable the production of analyses by geographical area. The link also enables the use of postcode as a means of indicating eligibility for schemes such as assisted area funding, although this does not imply that the schemes themselves are based on postcodes. Another website application gives the nearest Business Link operator for a given postcode.

Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what his Department's employer contribution rates to the Principal Civil Service pension scheme are; what assumed rate of return underlies those contribution rates; and what the contribution rate would be if the assumed rate of return was in line with current redemption yield on index-linked gilts.

Alan Johnson: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office, the hon. Member for East Renfrewshire (Mr. Murphy) on 29 March 2006, Official Report, column 1030W.

Shoes (Dumping)

David Heathcoat-Amory: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the EU (a) committees and (b) meetings at which the decision to impose anti-dumping duties on imported shoes were made; and how the UK representatives voted on each occasion.

Ian Pearson: On 16 March 2006, the European Commission consulted the Member States in its advisory Anti-Dumping and Anti-Subsidy Committee on a proposal to impose provisional anti-dumping duties on certain footwear with uppers of leather originating in China and Vietnam. The UK abstained on the proposal.

Solar Photovoltaics

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the capital grant expenditure on solar photovoltaics was in 2005.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for East Surrey (Mr. Ainsworth) on 22 March 2006, Official Report, column 393W.

Solar Photovoltaics

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what advice his officials give to householders applying for capital grants under his Department's Solar Photovoltaics Major Demonstration Programme.

Malcolm Wicks: The Energy Savings Trust (EST) runs the Photovoltaics Major Demonstration Programme on behalf of the Department. Inquiries to the Department are directed to the EST who maintain a website and help line number to provide information and advice on a wide range of issues, including the programme.

Solar Photovoltaics

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total number of accredited installation companies was under his Department's Clearskies and Solar Photovoltaic Major Demonstration programmes in (a) March 2003, (b) March 2004, (c) March 2005 and (d) March 2006.

Malcolm Wicks: Under the Clearskies Programme the following number of installers were registered on the approved list.
	
		
			  Number of registered installers Number of new installers in this year 
		
		
			 2003 135  
			 2004 204 69 
			 2005 263 59 
			 2006 290 27 
		
	
	Note:
	Of all installers, 28 have either withdrawn or been suspended from the list which makes a current total of 262 installers currently registered.
	Under the Photovoltaics Programme the details are as follows:
	
		
			  Number accredited installers 
		
		
			 2003 17 
			 2004 5 
			 2005 18 
			 2006 22 
			 Total 62 
		
	
	Note:
	There were an additional 3 installers who have now either withdrawn or been disqualified.

Superannuation Liability

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what total amount of employers' normal contributions accruing superannuation liability charge has been accounted for by his Department in each of the last five years for which data are available.

Alan Johnson: The amount of employers' accruing superannuation liability charges in respect of members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme in the last five years is:
	
		
			  000 
		
		
			 200405(274) 34,876 
			 200304(274) 32,195 
			 200203(274) 30,053 
			 200102 25,324 
			 200001 27,333 
		
	
	(274) From 1 October 2002 new entrants have been able to opt for a partnership pension partnership account, a stakeholder arrangement will an employer contribution. Employers' contributions to partnership pension accounts are not included in the above figures.

Telephone Preference Service

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what total value of fines was imposed on UK companies as a result of actions in breach of telephone service rules since 2003; what maximum fine can be imposed under telephone preference rules; and what maximum fine has been imposed;
	(2)  on how many occasions the Information Commissioner has followed an initial warning with the imposition of a fine under telephone preference service regulations.

Alun Michael: The Information Commissioner is responsible for administering the Privacy and Electronic Communications (EC Directive) Regulations 2003. Regulation 21 of these regulations relates to unsolicited direct marketing telephone calls. Complaints received by the Commissioner about breaches of Regulation 21 concern Telephone Preference Service (TPS) registered numbers and also calls made to numbers where the subscriber has directly asked the calling organisation not to make marketing calls to that number.
	The enforcement mechanism available to the Information Commissioner is provided under the Data Protection Act 1998 and the graded response includes Informal Resolution Undertaking, Preliminary Enforcement Notice, Enforcement Notice and Prosecution for a breach of Notice. If an organisation is found by a court to have breached the terms of an Enforcement Notice issued by the Information Commissioner, the court can fine that organisation up to 5,000 for each breach of the notice. To date most cases have been resolved at an early stage of their proceedings. The objection of the process is to secure compliance rather than the level of fines imposed.

Tidal Power

David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what financial support his Department is giving to the development of tidal power;
	(2)  what measures his Department has adopted to support the development of marine turbine power generation technology.

Malcolm Wicks: Since 2000 around 16 million has been committed to the development of tidal-stream power under the DTI's Technology Programme.
	To date this has led to the development and testing of two full-scale prototypes, one of which is located in the sea, near Lynmouth in Devon. In the next year it is anticipated that at least three more prototypes will be installed at the European Marine Energy Centre in Orkney, the Humber Estuary at Hull and Strangford Lough in Northern Ireland.
	A further 50 million 'Marine Renewables Deployment Fund' has been allocated to support the continued development of wave and tidal-stream technologies of which 42 million is for direct support to early-stage pre-commercial trials.

UK Trade and Investment

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate he has made of the staffing levels necessary to allow UK Trade and Investment staff to assume a proactive role.

Ian Pearson: UKTI is already playing a pro-active role in promoting trade and inward investment. Consideration of appropriate starting staffing levels for UKTI activities will be taken forward as part of a programme of organisational change that UKTI is developing alongside a new five-year strategy. Details of the strategy and accompanying change programme will be published before the summer.

Uruguay (Imports)

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what percentage of UK imports came from Uruguay in each of the last five years.

Ian Pearson: In each of the last 5 years the percentage of UK imports from Uruguay was 0.02.

Wind Farms

Ashok Kumar: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many wind farm proposals have been rejected in each region in England in each year since 2001.

Malcolm Wicks: The following table provides information on how many wind farm proposals have been rejected in each region in England, and in each year, since 2001.
	
		
			  Region Number of schemes refused 
		
		
			 2001 Eastern 2 
			 2001 North West 1 
			 2001 South West 4 
			 2002 Eastern 1 
			 2002 North East 3 
			 2003 East Midlands 1 
			 2003 North West 3 
			 2003 South East 2 
			 2003 South West 6 
			 2004 North East 1 
			 2004 North West 4 
			 2004 South West 2 
			 2005 Eastern 1 
			 2005 North East 1 
			 2005 South West 1 
			 2005 West Midlands 1

DEFENCE

15 Psychological Operations Group

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the work programme of 15 Psychological Operations Group.

Adam Ingram: The primary role of 15 (UK) Psychological Operations Group is to influence attitudes and behaviour in support of a military commander's mission. This is done through planned, culturally sensitive, truthful and attributable activities directed and disseminated by various means to appropriate audiences. The group has deployed its personnel to support all recent military and peace-keeping operations and major exercises. The group is also fully employed in training personnel in psychological operations (from across all three services) who are to deploy in this role on operations.

Boxer Caps/Initiators

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK firms are capable of producing (a) boxer caps and (b) initiators suitable for use by the UK armed forces.

Adam Ingram: Since the suspension of production at BAES(LS) Chorley following an industrial incident on 2 March 2005, there are no firms in the United Kingdom that are capable of producing Boxer caps. Nobel Energetics is the only UK company that produces the primary explosives and compositions required to manufacture initiators.
	These items are currently supplied to the Ministry of Defence by BAE Systems Land Systems, who determine the source of these products and ensure security of supply.

Contracts (Voluntary Sector)

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many contracts are let by his Department to voluntary sector organisations; how many of those are let on an annual basis; and how many of those had received finalised contracts for 200607 by 31 March.

Adam Ingram: The Ministry of Defence does not record centrally whether or not its contracts are let with voluntary sector organisations. This information could be provided only at a disproportionate cost.

DDT Exposure

John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of whether the offspring of service men exposed to DDT have an increased risk of suffering from diseases with a genetic basis.

Don Touhig: From the Second World War dichlorodiphenyltrichlorethane (DDT) was widely used in military and civilian environments in the UK and throughout the world for its insecticidal properties. During the 1970s it was gradually withdrawn. This was related to its persistence in the environment and not adverse effects on human health. As there was no reliable evidence of adverse effects on humans there was no requirement for studies on the health of offspring of servicemen exposed to DDT.

Defence Intelligence and Security Centre

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what factors underlay the decision that from 1 April 2005 the Defence Intelligence and Security Centre should no longer be a Government agency; and if he will make a statement on its present status.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the written ministerial statement I made on 24 March 2005, Official Report, column 83WS.

Departmental Leave (Stress)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many staff have been on sick leave suffering from stress in the Department in each of the last three years; and what percentage of the total staff number this represents.

Don Touhig: The following table shows the number of Ministry of Defence civilian staff 1 who have had a period of sickness absence caused by anxiety, depression and stress (Mental and Behavioural Disorders ICD10 category) in each of the last three years and the percentage of the total staff number this represents. The MOD does not have a specific sickness absence code for stress.
	1 This includes all permanent and casual non-industrial and industrial civilian personnel, but excludes trading fund, locally engaged civilian and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel.
	
		
			 Calendar year Number of staff Percentage of total staff 
		
		
			 2003 3,110 4.0 
			 2004 3,950 5.0 
			 2005 4,000 5.1 
		
	
	Note:
	Number of staff has been rounded to the nearest 10 and the percentage of total staff has been rounded to the nearest decimal point.

European Defence Agency/NATO

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps he is taking to ensure the effective working of the European Defence Agency with NATO on the threat assessment process.

John Reid: The UK has insisted that the European Defence Agency's (EDA) work on a Long Term Vision of future military capability requirements should incorporate relevant NATO threat assessments to reduce any risk of divergence between the two organisations. This work is ongoing.

European Defence Agency/NATO

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the long-term vision of the European Defence Agency.

John Reid: The European Defence Agency's work on a long term vision of future military capability requirements is ongoing and will not report until the autumn. The UK sees clear benefit in developing a view of future requirements to guide capability planning in EU member states, and is participating fully in this work.

European Defence Agency/NATO

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the strategic relationship between the European Defence Agency and NATO.

John Reid: The strategic relationship between the European Defence Agency (EDA) and NATO is centred on the shared aim of improving the military capabilities of participating member states and allies. The UK has encouraged the EDA and NATO to ensure that capability development initiatives are complementary and mutually reinforcing, thereby enabling EU and NATO to benefit from improvements in nations' capability.

Falklands War

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans are in place to mark the 25th anniversary of the Falklands War.

Don Touhig: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave him on 23 January 2006, Official Report, column 1715W.

Falklands War

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role the Falkland Islands will play in the 25th anniversary of the Falklands War.

Don Touhig: The Falkland Islands Government are in the process of planning a programme of commemorations centred on Liberation Day, 14 June 2007. We are investigating the feasibility of a television link between commemorations in the Falklands and those in the United Kingdom.

Falklands War

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much he estimates will be spent on marking the 25th anniversary of the Falklands War.

Don Touhig: Commemorations will take place at several places in the United Kingdom and in the Falkland Islands and detailed planning has not yet been completed. It is too early to estimate how much might be spent.

Grievance Procedures

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many grievance procedures have been initiated in the Department in each of the last three years.

Don Touhig: Statistics on the numbers of civilian staff who have initiated the MOD grievance procedure in the last three years are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	Different grievance procedures apply to service personnel. Under the Army Act 1955, the Air Force Act 1955 and the Naval Discipline Act 1957, a service person who thinks themselves wronged in any matter relating to their service may make a complaint about that matter, which may be considered by the Defence Council, unless resolved at a lower level.
	Complaints not resolved informally or at Commanding Officer level are shown in the following table. There are currently differences in the manner in which the services define and record formal complaints, which means that a direct comparison is not possible.
	
		
			  RN Army RAF 
		
		
			 2003 147 176 104 
			 2004 156 192 93 
			 2005 131 194 90

Harassment Complaints

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complaints of (a) bullying and (b) sexual harassment have been investigated in the Department in each of the last three years; and how many complaints have been upheld.

Don Touhig: Records are not kept centrally for these years in the form requested. Changes to record-keeping will lead to improvements for the future. The available information is as follows:
	Royal Navy
	A complete record of the number of complaints upheld is not held centrally. The information provided in the table reflects the available information.
	
		
			  2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 Bullying
			 Investigated 10 10 22 
			 Upheld 0 4 14 
			 
			 Sexual Harassment
			 Investigated 5 0 7 
			 Upheld 2 0 1 
		
	
	Army
	Records of complaints that were dealt with administratively are not kept centrally for these years. The following information therefore relates only to disciplinary offences dealt with under the military justice system.
	Bullying is not treated as a separate offence by the Army for the purpose of record-keeping.
	Sexual Harassment. Records are not kept of the total number of offences investigated.
	
		
			  Convictions 
		
		
			 2003 26 
			 2004 45 
			 2005 30 
		
	
	
		Royal Air Force
		
			  2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 Bullying
			 Investigated 18 37 25 
			 Upheld 5 6 1 
			 
			 Sexual Harassment
			 Investigated 8 11 4 
			 Upheld 2 4 2 
		
	
	MOD Civil Service
	The figures quoted in the table are for civilian cases that were referred by local units to MOD Centre for complaints to be investigated by independent Harassment Investigation Officers (HIOs). Records are not held centrally of those cases where the HIOs' investigations led to complaints being upheld nor are records held centrally of bullying and sexual harassment cases that are investigated locally by MOD units and subsequently upheld.
	
		
			  2003 2004 2005 
		
		
			 Bullying
			 Investigated 23 18 23 
			 
			 Sexual Harassment
			 Investigated 2 2 4

HMS Ferret

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the remit of HMS Ferret is.

Adam Ingram: HMS Ferret is a Royal Naval Reserve Unit responsible for the administration, management and training of Royal Naval Reserve Intelligence personnel in providing operational capability to UK defence.

Mental Health (Iraq)

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of mental health problems that have arisen among troops returning from military service in Iraq.

Don Touhig: The Ministry of Defence recognises mental illness, including post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as a serious and disabling condition, but one that can be treated. We attach a high priority to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. Currently, less than 0.1 per cent. of all service personnel (including those who have served in Iraq) have had to be discharged from the armed forces because of psychological illness.
	Between January 2003 and December 2005 inclusive, 1,551 UK service personnel who had served in Iraq were subsequently assessed as suffering from a mental health disorder. This represents around 1.5 per cent. of total UK service personnel deployed to the region during the same period. Of those 1,551 personnel, 208 were assessed as suffering from PTSD. A further 696 personnel were diagnosed with an adjustment disorder, which will include some who have post traumatic symptoms not amounting to full PTSD but with some symptoms of post traumatic stress. Other personnel were diagnosed with a range of other mental health conditions, including mood and neurotic disorders, and psychoactive substance misuse.
	As a result of the lessons identified during the 199091 Gulf conflict, the MOD took early action to put in place a large scale epidemiological study to monitor the physical and psychological health of personnel who served on Operation TELIC. This research is being undertaken by King's College London, and the preliminary results are due to be published later this year.

Mr. Nick Pope

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in what capacity Mr. Nick Pope was employed by his Department between 1991 and 1994.

Don Touhig: From 1991 to 1994 Mr. Pope worked as a civil servant within Secretariat (air staff). He undertook a wide range of secretariat tasks relating to central policy, political and parliamentary aspects of non-operational RAF activity. Part of his duties related to the investigation of unidentified aerial phenomena reported to the Department to see if they had any defence significance.

Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of members of the principal civil service pension scheme in his Department joined the scheme before the age of (a) 20, (b) 25, (c) 30, (d) 35, (e) 40, (f) 45 and (g) over 45 years old.

Don Touhig: The following table gives the age of current civil servants within the Ministry of Defence (including trading funds) at date of entry into the principal civil service pension scheme (PCSPS).
	
		
			 Age group Percentage 
		
		
			 20 21.2 
			 2025 20.1 
			 2530 12.0 
			 3035 10.1 
			 3540 9.8 
			 4045 11.2 
			 45 15.6

Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's employer contribution rates to the principal civil service pension scheme are; what assumed rate of return underlies those contribution rates; and what the contribution rate would be if the assumed rate of return was in line with current redemption yield on index-linked gilts.

Don Touhig: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given on 29 March 2006, Official Report, column 10301031W by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office.

Royal Ordnance

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what volume of orders his Department has placed with Royal Ordnance in each of the last five years.

Adam Ingram: Over the past five years, the following values of orders have been delivered by BAE Systems Land Systems through the Framework Partnering Agreement:
	
		 million
		
			  Amount 
		
		
			 2001 82 
			 2002 74 
			 2003 88 
			 2004 154 
			 2005 103

Royal Ordnance

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the quality of products produced for the UK armed forces at (a) Royal Ordnance Chorley and (b) Royal Ordnance Bridgwater.

Adam Ingram: Since the takeover by BAES Land Systems of the Royal Ordnance sites at Chorley and Bridgewater the products delivered for use by UK armed forces have met the specifications stipulated by the Ministry of Defence.

Seaford Drill Hall

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to his answer of 27 March 2006 to question 61241, on Seaford Drill Hall, if he will consult (a) Seaford town council and (b) the hon. Member for Lewes as part of the process of identifying a future use.

Don Touhig: Discussions will commence shortly with Seaford town council, and others who are interested in the future of the Drill Hall, to explore their interest and to explain the procedures followed in the disposal of surplus Ministry of Defence property. Although progress is being made in identifying a future use for the site, no decision has yet been made.

Service Personnel (Discharge)

David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel have been discharged into the care of the NHS in each of the last five years due to stress-related medical problems.

Don Touhig: The Ministry of Defence recognises that stress-related illnesses can be serious and disabling conditions, but ones that can be treated. We attach a high priority to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. Currently, less than 0.1 per cent. of all Service Personnel have had to be discharged annually from the armed forces because of psychological illness.
	Unfortunately, we are unable to give precise figures for Personnel discharged due to stress-related problems since this is not held centrally. Collation of such figures would be complicated by the fact that stress-related medical conditions, could include both mental health stress conditions and physical conditions of which stress is a component, and any breakdown of figures would not be able to differentiate between these.
	It is the long established practice that the medical care of discharged Service Personnel, whether regular or reservist, passes to the NHS. This is subsequent to the individual either recovering from their condition or their condition being at a stage where it is unlikely to improve significantly. When individuals need to be discharged into NHS care, we make arrangements to ensure smooth transition.

Service Personnel (Discharge)

David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the aftercare provided for service personnel discharged into the care of the NHS.

Don Touhig: No formal assessment has been made of the aftercare provided for service personnel once they leave the armed forces and responsibility for their healthcare transfers to the NHS. Most personnel are discharged from the armed forces fully fit or with only minor health or fitness problems. For those few with significant illness or disability, the aim before discharge is to achieve maximal recovery and functional outcome and to plan with the civilian services ongoing health and social care in the civilian community. The cross-governmental Veterans Programme aims to ensure excellent public services for veterans. To deliver and monitor this, my Department works closely with the four UK Health Departments and with the veterans' community.

Territorial Army

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 6 February 2006, Official Report, column 836W, on the Territorial Army, how many of those specialists that have reported for mobilisation more than once in the past five years have been deployed more than once in the last three years.

Don Touhig: holding answer 3 March 2006
	The information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. The following table shows those specialist personnel who have reported for mobilization more than once in the past three years. These include individuals who subsequently did not mobilize for medical or other reasons. They also include personnel who may have undertaken a number of very short deployments. Individual records are checked to ensure that personnel do not breach the provisions of the Reserve Forces Act 1996 in respect of their periods of mobilization.
	
		
			 Specialist area Number of personnel 
		
		
			 Drivers 104 
			 Clergy 1 
			 Administrative 11 
			 Ammunition 3 
			 Construction 0 
			 Catering 0 
			 Petroleum 1 
			 Policing 5 
			 Medical 59 
			 Logistical 198 
			 Legal 0 
			 Linguistic 0 
			 Electrical Engineering 2 
		
	
	Note:
	The method used to identify the logistical category means that the driver population are likely to be double-counted in the logistical personnel figures.

Territorial Army

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of each Territorial Army centre in Lancashire.

Don Touhig: Further to my answer of 29 March 2006, Official Report, column 1007W, on the increased Territorial Army presence in Chorley, I can confirm that there will be no changes to the other Territorial Army Centres in Lancashire, other than that the Regimental Headquarters and Headquarter Company of the Lancastrian and Cumbrian Volunteers (based in Preston) will be retitled the 4th Battalion, The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment.

World Cup (Complimentary Tickets)

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many complimentary tickets his Department has received for games taking place at the FIFA World cup 2006 in Germany.

Don Touhig: The Ministry of Defence has not received any complimentary tickets for games taking place at the FIFA World cup 2006 in Germany.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Fair Trade

Jo Swinson: To ask the honourable Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what steps the Commission is taking to encourage its British suppliers of souvenirs to source their raw materials from fair trade sources.

Nick Harvey: There is no formal framework currently in place to encourage British suppliers of souvenirs sold by the House to source raw materials from fair trade suppliers. Suppliers have been asked and will continue to be asked if they are intending to move to sourcing fair trade raw materials.

Fair Trade

Alan Reid: To ask the honourable Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission what the Refreshment Department's policy is on the procurement of fair trade produce.

Nick Harvey: In all procurement exercises, the Department investigates what fair trade products are available. The Department was also one of the first organisations to support the fair trade movement over 10 years ago and has supported the Fairtrade Fortnight in March of each year. The Department sells eight fair trade products permanently and a further 10 intermittently.

Water Saving Devices

Jo Swinson: To ask the hon. Member for North Devon, representing the House of Commons Commission how many water saving devices (a) have been and (b) are due to be installed in the House of Commons estate; and what the type of device is in each case.

Nick Harvey: Refurbishment programmes involving water usage on the estate include measures to minimise water consumption as far as it is practical to do so. As a result much of the equipment on the estate has good water saving properties. The number and type of devices fitted is not centrally recorded.
	A range of water efficiency measures have been carried out over the last few years including:
	low-volume and dual flush WC cisterns fitted in most modern lavatories;
	bags in large, older types of WC cisterns to reduce the flush volume;
	sensor sink taps, which work automatically, fitted in most of the Refreshment Department kitchens;
	automatic controls on many of the men's lavatories urinals to reduce water consumption.
	The Director of Estates is arranging for a professional survey of the lavatory and washroom areas, to identify further improvements which can be made in water efficiency across the estate.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agricultural Workers

Alan Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether employment legislation in the agricultural industries applies to (a) seasonal workers and (b) foreign workers.

Jim Knight: In general employment legislation applies to the agricultural industry as it does to other sectors of the economy. The only employment legislation specific to the agricultural industry is the Agricultural Wages Act 1948. This applies to any person employed to undertake agricultural work including seasonal and foreign workers. However, in common with most employment legislation, the Agricultural Wages Act 1948 does not apply to foreign nationals working in the UK illegally.

European Union Law

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on how many occasions in each of the last five years her Department has been the cause of infringements in the implementation of European Union law; and if she will make a statement.

Jim Knight: holding answer 28 March 2006
	Between 1 June 2001 and 31 December 2005 the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs was the lead Department for 109 infringement proceedings initiated by the European Commission. The following table lists these by year:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 1 June 2001 to 31 December 2001 10 
			 2002 18 
			 2003 41 
			 2004 25 
			 2005 15 
		
	
	A list of all infringements initiated by the European Commission against the UK can be found on the European Commission website at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/secretariat_general/sgb/droit_com.

Harassment Complaints

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many complaints of (a) bullying and (b) sexual harassment have been investigated in her Department in each of the last three years; and how many complaints have been upheld.

Jim Knight: The figures are collated each financial year and relate to core Defra and the following agencies: PSD, CSL, VMD, CEFAS, RDS and SVS.
	Under Defra's formal equal opportunities complaints procedures between April 2003 and March 2004, six cases of bullying were investigated and one case was upheld. None of the cases related to sexual harassment.
	Between April 2004 and March 2005, five cases of bullying were investigated and one case was upheld. None of the cases related to sexual harassment.
	Between April 2005 and March 2006, six cases of bullying were investigated and no cases were upheld. None of the cases related to sexual harassment.
	The Equal Opportunities Complaints Advisory Team provides advice and guidance on issues of bullying and sexual harassment within the Department via
	An internal intranet website
	Posters/educative events
	A telephone advice line available within normal office hours for staff to ring and speak to a member of the Complaints Advisory Team.
	In addition there is a departmental network of local Harassment, Bullying and Support Advisers and an Employee Assistance Programme providing 365 days a year, 24 hour cover for staff to access further support.

Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her Department's employer contribution rates to the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme are; what assumed rate of return underlies those contribution rates; and what the contribution rate would be if the assumed rate of return was in line with current redemption yield on index-linked gilts.

Jim Knight: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Cabinet Office (Mr. Murphy) on 29 March 2006, Official Report, columns 103031W.

Single Farm Payments

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will abandon the dynamic hybrid model of single farm payment in favour of full area payments as soon as possible.

Jim Knight: The decision to adopt a flat rate model of the single payment scheme in England, with transitional period to 2012, was taken after extensive analysis and consultation with a broad range of stakeholders. The redistribution in subsidy that would arise from abandoning the transitional period, and the immediate impact on some incomes which would result, would be too destabilising. Most importantly, it might act against the sort of behavioural change we want to see in helping the industry to become fit for purpose in getting closer to the market.

Single Farm Payments

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what percentage of recipients of single farm payment she expects will be paid (a) less than 50, (b) 51 to 100, (c) 101 to 200, (d) 201 to 300, (e) 301 to 400, (f) 401 to 500, (g) 501 to 1,000, (h) 1,001 to 2,000, (i) 2,001 to 3,000, (j) 3,001 to 4,000, (k) 4,001 to 5,000, (l) 5,001 to 10,000, (m) 10,001 to 20,000, (n) 20,001 to 30,000, (o) 30,001 to 40,000, (p) 40,001 to 50,000, (q) 50,001 to 100,000, (r) 100,001 to 500,000, (s) 500,001 to 1 million and (t) , more than 1 million in 2006.

Christopher Huhne: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the number of (a) individuals and (b) companies which receive single farm payments of more than 100,000 a year; what the total cost is of such payments; and what proportion of the total value of single farm payments such payments represent.

Jim Knight: The Rural Payments Agency intends to follow a cycle of publishing single payment scheme payment details in the autumn and payment details of other subsidies in the spring each year.

Superannuation Liability

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total amount of employers' normal contributions accruing superannuation liability charge that have been accounted for by her Department has been in each of the last five years for which data are available.

Jim Knight: The amount of employers' accruing superannuation liability charges in respect of members of the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme in the last five years is:
	
		000
		
			  Consolidated Core Department 
		
		
			 200405(275) 76,762 27,265 
			 200304(275) 45,309 26,074 
			 200203(275) (276)39,194 (276)23,466 
			 200102 (276)36,226 (276)22,493 
			 200001 n/a n/a 
		
	
	(275) From 1 October 2002 new entrants have been able to opt for a partnership pension partnership account, a stakeholder arrangement with an employer contribution. Employers' contributions to partnership pension accounts are not included in the above figures.
	(276) Restated
	Note:
	There are no comparable figures available for the year 200001 as Defra was created as a new Government Department in June 2001.

TRANSPORT

Bridge Tolls

Shona McIsaac: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which statutory tolled bridge crossings offer concessions for public transport vehicles; and what the level of the concession is in each case.

Stephen Ladyman: Whether to offer concessions for public transport vehicles is a matter for the operators/owners of the statutory tolled bridge crossings.
	Only twothe Tamar bridge and the Itchen bridgeoperate concession schemes specifically for public service buses. In both cases the scheme involves exempting public service buses from toll charges.

Capita Group

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much business his Department has placed with (a) Capita Group plc and (b) its subsidiaries in each of the last five years; what the total value is of outstanding contracts placed with Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries by his Department; for which current tenders issued by his Department (i) Capita Group plc and (ii) its subsidiaries have been invited to bid; and whether (A) Capita Group plc and (B) its subsidiaries have seconded staff (1) temporarily and (2) on a longer-term basis to (X) his Department and (Y) its agencies.

Derek Twigg: The Department was formed in May 2002. A table showing contracts awarded since that date has been placed in the Libraries of the House. The outstanding contracts have been highlighted.
	Capita Group and its subsidiaries have currently been invited to bid for one contract which has not yet been awardedthis is the Highways Agency Project Support Framework.
	Capita Group and its subsidiaries have not seconded any staff on either a temporary or longer term basis to the Department or its Agencies.

Capita Group

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what meetings (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have held with directors and senior executives of (i) Capita Group plc. and (ii) its subsidiaries since 1 January 2004; and whether (A) Capita Group plc. and (B) its subsidiaries have provided input (1) in writing and (2) in person to policy discussions in his Department since 1 January 2004.

Derek Twigg: The Secretary of State and the Ministers in his Department have not held any meetings with directors or senior executives of Capita Group plc. and its subsidiaries since 1 January 2004.
	Since 1 January 2004, Capita Group plc. and its subsidiaries have provided input into the Department as set out in the answers I have given to the hon. Gentleman (UIN 61063) and to the hon. Member for Hornchurch (James Brokenshire) (UIN 61453, 61454 and 61455) on 18 April 2006.

Capita Group

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the value of contracts held by his Department with (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries was in the last three financial years.

Derek Twigg: A table showing all the contracts awarded in the last three financial years has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Capita Group

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many tenders (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries has submitted to his Department in each of the last three years; and how many tenders were successful.

Derek Twigg: The information requested is shown in the following table:
	
		
			  Number submitted Number successful 
		
		
			 200304 6 2 
			 200405 11 3 
			 200506 9 3

Capita Group

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many contracts his Department holds with (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries which have a potential duration of five years or more.

Derek Twigg: The Department has one contract which has a potential duration of five years or more. This is a Driving Standards Agency contract for the provision of ICT services. The contract is due to end on 31 December 2010, but has an option to extend for a further four years.

Car-share Lanes

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what plans the Government have to build further car-share lanes;
	(2)  what the cost is of establishing the new car-share lane on the M1;
	(3)  if he will make a statement on the new car-share lane on the M1.

Stephen Ladyman: Carpool lanes encourage drivers to share their vehicle by providing dedicated lanes for vehicles with passengers. In December 2004 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport announced a trial of high occupancy vehicle lanes on the M1 between junctions 7 and 10, as part of the planned widening scheme. The total cost of the car-sharing lane part of the scheme has yet to be finalised, but is currently estimated to be 6 million. The lanes are due to come into operation in 2008.
	On 20 March 2006 my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport announced a second trial of a one-mile high-occupancy vehicle lane for traffic joining the M62 eastbound at junction 26, which will be implemented in 2007.
	There are currently no firm plans to introduce further car-sharing lanes on the trunk road network. However, a further review of the trunk road network by the Highways Agency could identify other potential sites which might be assessed to develop a robust programme to deliver other car-sharing schemes.

Concessionary Fares

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the financial effects of the changes to concessionary fares upon pensioners who frequently travel across local authority boundaries.

Stephen Ladyman: We are introducing a national scheme in April 2008 which will allow 11 million older and disabled people free off-peak bus travel anywhere in England. In the interim, we are keen for local authorities to work together to provide cross-boundary or countywide schemes. However, ultimately it is for local authorities to decide whether to make these arrangements.

Departmental Policies

Emily Thornberry: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to Islington, South and Finsbury constituency, the effects on Islington, South and Finsbury of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997.

Derek Twigg: The Department for Transport (DfT) does not routinely hold transport statistics on a parliamentary constituency basis. However, the Department provides Transport for London with a block grant to fund transport delivery in London. This grant has increased by 203 per cent. over the last five years, rising to some 2,181 million in 200506. Drawing on these and other resources, the Mayor is responsible for providing a Transport Strategy for London while the boroughs are required to provide Local Implementation Plans which set out how they will contribute to the Mayor's strategy.
	The additional funding that has been made available has helped deliver 976 million passenger journeys on the Tube in 200405, a rise of 2.7 per cent. from the previous year. The Tube is also running more kilometres than ever before with an all time high in customer satisfaction. Bus services in London have also improved. 1,788 million bus passenger journeys were made in 200405. Patronage has grown by almost 40 per cent. between 19992000 and 200405, rising by 5.0 per cent. in 200405 compared to the previous year. Service reliability on London's buses is at its highest level since records began in 1977.
	Various improvements in relation to cycling have also been realised across London and Islington and Finsbury in particular. Investment in cycling in London has risen during the past five years from 5.5 million in 2000 to 20 million in 200506, and TfL will invest 24 million in cycling infrastructure, training, promotion and education in 200607. The number of recorded cycle journeys on London's major roads rose by 100 per cent. during the last five years59,000 to 119,000 recorded journeys a week, number of cyclists killed or seriously injured has fallen by 40 per cent. during the last five years. London's biggest staffed cycle park opened in Finsbury Park in March 2006, which marked the completion of the latest stage of TfL's 10 million Finsbury Park Transport Interchange Project.
	The Public Performance Measure (PPM) on all heavy rail routes serving the constituency has also been improvingfor example on West Anglia's Great Northern Inner service, where the PPM has risen from 83.4 per cent. in December 2005 to 94.1 per cent. in March 2006.

Driving Standards Agency

Lynne Featherstone: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the extent to which the Driving Standards Agency internet site on the highway code is user-friendly.

Stephen Ladyman: The website in question relates to the Highway Code review consultation being carried out by the Driving Standards Agency (DSA).
	The website is constructed in such a way as to allow users to reply either by post, by downloading and printing relevant documents, or by replying online using a simple on-screen form.
	Since being launched on 14 February 2006 the online system has had 3,000 visits and over 800 people have completed the online response system.

Humber Bridge

Shona McIsaac: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent changes have been made to the interest paid on the debt on the Humber bridge; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: In 1998 the debt on the Humber bridge was restructured. This restructuring included significantly reducing the interest rate from an average yearly interest rate of 11.62 per cent. to a fixed consolidated rate of 7.75 per cent. Interest payments were suspended on 240 million of the Secretary of State's debt of 359 million.
	The Department is currently reviewing the debt arrangements and expects to be in a position to approach the Humber bridge operator, the Humber Bridge Board, in the near future about a further restructuring.

Humber Bridge

Shona McIsaac: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive the report into the inquiry into the Humber bridge tolls; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: The inquiry inspector's report has been received and considered.
	Having considered the report and taking into account the representations received with regard to the Humber Bridge Board's application to revise the charges for using the Humber bridge, I have approved the making of the order authorising the revision of tolls as applied for by the Bridge Board in line with the inspector's recommendation.
	I have already written separately to my hon. Friend, the Member for Cleethorpes, and the four other hon. and right hon. Members who made representations to the Secretary of State on this matter, providing copies of the report and the letter sent to the Bridge Board advising of the decision to authorise the revision of tolls.

Humber Bridge

Shona McIsaac: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what recent representations he has received in relation to the level of Humber Bridge tolls.

Stephen Ladyman: The operator of the Humber Bridge, the Humber Bridge Board, published a notice on 26 September 2005 announcing its application to the Secretary of State for Transport for authorisation to revise the toll charges for using the Humber Bridge.
	During the statutory representation period which ran from the first publication of the notice until 11 November 2005 four representations were receivedfrom three bus and coach companies and one private individual.
	Subsequent to the expiry of that statutory period a further 52 representations have been receivedeither sent directly to the Secretary of State or given directly to the Inspector who chaired an inquiry into the bridge board's application on 7 February 2006.
	These representations consist of: five from hon. and right hon. Members (including my hon. Friend the Member for Cleethorpes); two local newspapers; four lobby and representative organisations; one local business; and one local authority. The remaining representations were from private individuals mainly residing in Cleethorpes, Grimsby and Barton-upon-Humber.
	The representations (including those received during the statutory period) relate, in the main, to three main issues: reduced toll charges for local service buses using the bridge; concessions for journeys across the bridge for reasons related to healthcare; and the total abolition of toll charges.

Infrastructure

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when Basingstoke and Deane will be allocated the 380 million set out in the Hampshire county council transport and infrastructure requirement plan to improve local services to meet the demands of the South East England regional assembly's house building targets.

Stephen Ladyman: I understand that a transport strategy for North Hampshire is under development in the context of a strategy for the Western Corridor and Blackwater Valley. This is a matter for the councils concerned, who need to have regard to regional strategies and the likely availability of resources.

London Airports (Security)

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been spent on security at each London airport in each of the last 10 years.

Derek Twigg: The Department does not hold this information. It is for the industry to decide how to deliver the Government's aviation security requirements.

M3

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the peak flow of traffic at the southern roundabout of junction 6 of theM3 during the morning and evening rush hour periods.

Stephen Ladyman: I have nothing further to add to the answer I gave the hon. Member on 20 January 2006, Official Report, column 1619W.

M3

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the traffic flow is on the southern roundabout of junction 6 of the M3, broken down by (a) hour and (b) day of the week.

Stephen Ladyman: There is little that can be added to the previous answer on 20 January 2006, Official Report, column 1619W.
	Detailed turning traffic flows are not surveyed on a regular basis. The most recent traffic survey at M3 Junction 6 was undertaken on 27 September 2005 and covered the am and pm peak periods. The following table sets out all the traffic flows surveyed on that date.
	
		Traffic flows27 September 2005
		
			 Vehicles 
			  Morning Evening 
			 Direction 7 to 8 am Peak 8 to 9 am Peak 5 to 6 pm 6 to 7 pm 
		
		
			 M3 southbound 
			 Off slip 1,310 1,600 1,440 1,200 
			 On slip 610 530 1,210 870 
			  
			 M3 northbound 
			 Off slip 1,300 1,680 550 470 
			 On slip 1,350 1,400 1,420 1,200

Myasthenia Gravis

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on Blue Badge entitlement for those diagnosed with myasthenia gravis.

Derek Twigg: The Blue Badge scheme is designed primarily to assist people with severe difficulty in walking, whatever the cause of their disability. People who are registered blind also qualify under the scheme. Drivers with a severe disability affecting both arms may also be eligible. Local authorities, which are responsible for administering the scheme, will decide on an individual's eligibility on the basis of these criteria. People with myasthenia gravis will be eligible for a badge if they meet the criteria.

Pensioners (Free Travel)

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will extend the free bus travel scheme announced in the Budget to ferry passengers.

Stephen Ladyman: There are no current plans to extend the older and disabled people's entitlement to free off-peak bus travel to ferries. Local authorities will remain able to offer concessions on other modes at their own discretion.

Railways

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will place in the Library a copy of all railway passenger franchise agreements.

Derek Twigg: Franchise agreements and associated documents are publicly available through the Department of Transport's Public Register. Requests should be made to the Public Register Manager, Department for Transport, 328 Great Minster House, 76 Marsham Street, London SW1P 4DR. Telephone: 0207 944 2571 or email: sue.probets@dft.gsi.gov.uk.

Railways

Paul Rowen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what statistics on overcrowding of trains are collected for services outside London; and in what ways this information is published.

Derek Twigg: Train operating companies operating outside London, under the new Template Franchise Agreement (currently Northern Rail, and GNER) are required to provide passenger loading data to the Department for Transport as and when the Department requests such information. There is no contractual requirement to provide this data other than when the Department makes a request. This information is not routinely published.
	Passenger transport executives operate their own monitoring of service loading data and this information is not routinely shared with the Department.

Railways

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the level of demand for train services in the West Country.

Derek Twigg: The demand for rail travel in the West Country has been assessed in setting specifications for the Greater Western and South Western franchises. Furthermore, the Regional Planning Assessment (RPA) for the south west which will begin in the summer, will include carrying out forecasts of passenger demand for the next 20 years.

Railways

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer given to the hon. Member for Carshalton and Wallington (Tom Brake) on 14 March 2006, Official Report, column 2061W, on railways, how many staff in his Department have worked on rail timetables in each year since 1997.

Derek Twigg: The Department currently has 14 staff who work on railway timetables. The Department acquired responsibility for specification of railway timetables associated with the letting of new franchises as a result of the Railways Act 2005, in mid-2005. Prior to this date, the Strategic Rail Authority had responsibility for the specification of new timetables for new railway franchises.

Railways

Andrew Gwynne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many railway stations in the county of Greater Manchester do not have disabled access; and if he will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: The Department does not hold information on the level of accessibility at all stations across Greater Manchester.
	The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) run, on behalf of the rail industry, the National Rail website (www.nationalrail.co.uk) where information on the accessibility of each station can be found. This information can also be provided by telephone through the National Reservations Service.

Railways

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much has been allocated to providing enhanced CCTV to railway stations across the country; and when these funds are likely to become available.

Derek Twigg: Each new franchise let has obligations for station improvement, and this will include CCTV and other security measures. Exact CCTV investment figures are a matter for each individual franchise and are not held by the Department for Transport. These initiatives will normally come into effect in the early years of each new franchise.

Road Accidents

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many children were involved in vehicle accidents in (a) England, (b) Hampshire and (c) the Borough of Basingstoke and Deane in each year since 1990; and how many child (i) fatalities and (ii) serious injuries there were as a result in each year.

Stephen Ladyman: The number of children injured in personal injury road accidents in England, the county of Hampshire and Basingstoke and Deane local authority for the years 19902004 (the last year for which data are available) is given in tables 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Information on the number of children involved in road accidents but who were not injured is not available.
	
		Table 1: Child (aged 015 years) casualties by severity: England:19902004
		
			  All severities Fatalities Serious injuries 
		
		
			 1990 4,1571 350 7,374 
			 1991 3,7911 315 6,378 
			 1992 3,7813 250 6,243 
			 1993 3,6574 251 5,633 
			 1994 3,8627 242 5,918 
			 1995 3,7598 227 5,778 
			 1996 3,8716 230 5,633 
			 1997 3,8548 217 5,241 
			 1998 3,7729 163 4,997 
			 1999 3,6737 179 4,650 
			 2000 3,4709 162 4,255 
			 2001 3,3448 186 4,056 
			 2002 3,0101 156 3,728 
			 2003 2,7789 141 3,336 
			 2004 2,7070 145 3,208 
		
	
	
		Table 2: Child (aged 015 years) casualties by severity: Hampshire: 19902004
		
			  All severities Fatalities Serious injuries 
		
		
			 1990 1,239 14 207 
			 1991 1,059 8 186 
			 1992 1,032 6 163 
			 1993 1,066 5 166 
			 1994 1,158 4 183 
			 1995 1,178 2 162 
			 1996 1,200 3 155 
			 1997 1,151 5 137 
			 1998 1,163 4 129 
			 1999 1,149 9 122 
			 2000 1,061 4 114 
			 2001 1,014 3 106 
			 2002 866 7 127 
			 2003 839 5 88 
			 2004 847 3 97 
		
	
	
		Table 3: Child (aged 015 years) casualties by severity: Basingstoke and Deane: 19902004
		
			  All severities Fatalities Serious injuries 
		
		
			 1990 92 1 16 
			 1991 82 1 24 
			 1992 97  25 
			 1993 87  17 
			 1994 127 1 15 
			 1995 97  24 
			 1996 99  16 
			 1997 98  14 
			 1998 74  13 
			 1999 85  14 
			 2000 89  10 
			 2001 95  18 
			 2002 69  13 
			 2003 60 1 9 
			 2004 61  4

Road Accidents

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicle accidents occurred on A roads in the Borough of Basingstoke and Deane in each year since 1990; and how many (a) fatalities and (b) serious injuries there were as a result in each year.

Stephen Ladyman: The number of personal road injury accidents on A roads in Basingstoke and Deane local authority and the number of people killed and seriously injured in those accidents are given the following table.
	
		Accidents and casualties on A roads: Basingstoke and Deane: 19902004
		
			  All accidents Fatalities Serious injuries 
		
		
			 1990 249 12 101 
			 1991 222 4 95 
			 1992 226 6 83 
			 1993 240 11 92 
			 1994 249 6 72 
			 1995 266 5 75 
			 1996 257 6 88 
			 1997 278 4 93 
			 1998 220 2 63 
			 1999 244 4 77 
			 2000 236 3 70 
			 2001 211 3 41 
			 2002 232 3 55 
			 2003 223 9 50 
			 2004 187 2 47

Road Accidents

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many vehicle accidents have occurred on the M3 between exit 5 and 8 in each year since 1990; and how many (a) fatalities and (b) serious injuries occurred as a result in each year.

Stephen Ladyman: The number of personal road injury accidents which occurred between 1990 and 2004 (the latest year for which figures are available) on the M3 between junctions 5 and 8 and the number of people killed and seriously injured in those accidents are given in the following table.
	
		Number of personal injury road accidents and the resulting killed and serious casualties on M3 between the junctions of 5 and 8: 19902004
		
			  Number of: 
			  Accidents Fatal casualties Serious casualties 
		
		
			 1990 41 0 17 
			 1991 33 0 11 
			 1992 37 0 12 
			 1993 52 0 19 
			 1994 36 1 6 
			 1995 38 1 14 
			 1996 33 1 8 
			 1997 44 3 13 
			 1998 49 0 12 
			 1999 50 3 22 
			 2000 52 1 18 
			 2001 47 0 21 
			 2002 42 1 15 
			 2003 39 1 17 
			 2004 51 0 17

Road Accidents

Willie Rennie: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people were (a) killed and (b) injured in road accidents in Fife in each year from 1976 to 2005 for which figures are available.

Stephen Ladyman: The number of people killed or injured in personal injury road accidents in Fife in each year from 1979 to 2004 (the earliest and latest years for which figures are available) are given in the table.
	
		The number of people killed or injured in Fife: 1979 to 2004
		
			  Killed Seriously and slightly injured 
		
		
			 1979 45 1,962 
			 1980 49 1,679 
			 1981 50 1,781 
			 1982 41 1,659 
			 1983 30 1,538 
			 1984 37 1,516 
			 1985 32 1,566 
			 1986 29 1,373 
			 1987 33 1,281 
			 1988 35 1,303 
			 1989 22 1,397 
			 1990 26 1,225 
			 1991 20 1,108 
			 1992 23 1,003 
			 1993 26 1,068 
			 1994 15 1,043 
			 1995 17 1,067 
			 1996 23 1,019 
			 1997 24 1,100 
			 1998 24 989 
			 1999 15 996 
			 2000 12 1,064 
			 2001 21 991 
			 2002 29 1,051 
			 2003 18 982 
			 2004 30 982

Road Accidents

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people were (a) killed and (b) injured in road accidents in Cumbria in each year from 1976 to 2005.

Stephen Ladyman: The number of people killed or injured in personal injury road accidents in Cumbria in each year from 1979 to 2004 (the earliest and latest years for which figures are available) are given in the table.
	
		Number of people killed or injured in Cumbria, 19792004
		
			  Killed Seriously or slightly injured 
		
		
			 1979 66 3,082 
			 1980 95 2,995 
			 1981 62 2,900 
			 1982 65 2,814 
			 1983 64 2,618 
			 1984 62 2,705 
			 1985 53 2,687 
			 1986 52 2,742 
			 1987 72 2,708 
			 1988 67 2,754 
			 1989 60 2,796 
			 1990 88 2,932 
			 1991 75 2,532 
			 1992 64 2,469 
			 1993 61 2,557 
			 1994 46 2,545 
			 1995 54 2,634 
			 1996 48 2,628 
			 1997 52 2,977 
			 1998 48 2,798 
			 1999 62 2,928 
			 2000 55 2,725 
			 2001 47 2,621 
			 2002 49 2,868 
			 2003 54 2,641 
			 2004 57 2,685

Road Accidents

Tim Farron: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many people were (a) killed and (b) injured in road accidents in each year from 1975 to 2005 in which the negligent driver was aged (i) 17 to 21, (ii) 22 to 25, (iii) 26 to 29 and (iv) 30 or over.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is not available.

Road Improvements

James Arbuthnot: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the South East of England Regional Assembly's recommendation on regional funding allocations with particular reference to high priority for the A3 Hindhead Improvement Scheme; and what recent assessment he has made of the affordability of the scheme.

Stephen Ladyman: We are currently considering the advice received from the South East of England Regional Assembly on its priorities for major transport schemes including the proposed A3 Hindhead Improvement. We are also considering the Inspector's report on this scheme.

Royal Travel

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what funding mechanism covers the 60 per cent. of royal travel not covered by the grant in aid for royal travel by air and rail.

Derek Twigg: Approximately 40 per cent. of all official royal engagements involved travel where the cost was more than 2,500. Full details of these related journeys are provided in the appendix to the annual report on the grant in aid. The remaining official royal engagements that involved travel costs fall into the following two categories:
	Journeys by air and rail costing less than 2,500these are funded by the grant in aid and the total cost in 200405 was 2,849,745.
	Journeys by carofficial travel by car for HM the Queen is paid for from the civil list and for HRH the Duke of Edinburgh from his parliamentary annuity. Official travel by car for other members of the royal Family is paid for from private sources.

Smartcard Technology

Eric Pickles: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the public sector organisations that have access to personal data held within the Oyster card database.

Derek Twigg: Oyster is provided under a PFI contract managed by Transport for London (TFL). We understand from TFL that they comply fully with the Data Protection Act.
	Information on individual travel is kept for a maximum of eight weeks and is only used for customer service purposes, to check charges for particular journeys or for refund inquiries.
	Very few authorised individuals can access this data and there is no bulk disclosure of personal data to third parties for any commercial purposes or any public sector organisation.
	Any public sector organisation can request information within their power and if information is disclosed, it is always done so in accordance with the Data Protection Act after a case-by-case evaluation.

Speed Cameras

Lembit �pik: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the accuracy of the measurement of speeds by speed cameras, with particular reference to motorcycles; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Ladyman: Safety cameras used by the police to produce evidence for court have to be of a type approved by the Home Secretary. The UK type approval process is extremely rigorous and involves both operational and laboratory testing. Expert advice is provided by the Home Office Scientific Development Branch.
	No specific test is prescribed that involves motorcycles, or any other particular sort of vehicle, because they are not considered to present any distinct problems. The operational tests do however involve measuring the speed of any passing traffic including motorcycles.
	The Home Secretary only type approves those devices which successfully complete the whole process. The Home Office is satisfied that all devices currently in use merit their type-approved status and are accurate and reliable on motorcycles and any other vehicle.

Station Safety

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will reconsider the proposed timetable for trialling new security technologies on mainland railway stations.

Derek Twigg: The passenger screening trial at Paddington station was completed to the timetable agreed with operators and other stakeholders. It finished on 8 February. Data collected during this trial is being assessed.
	The other passenger screening trials, which the Secretary of State announced on 2 November 2005, are being planned. The timetable for these trials is being developed with the appropriate stakeholders including station operators and the British Transport police.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

BBC (3G)

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to encourage the BBC to provide content to 3G telecommunications networks; and if she will make a statement.

James Purnell: As the White Paper 'A public service for all: the BBC in the digital age made clear', the Government believes the BBC should have the flexibility to deliver content in new ways and on different platforms as technology develops. Decisions on how to pursue this will be for the BBC within the framework of the Charter and Agreement. In particular, where a proposal requires a new public service or a significant change to an existing service, the BBC Trust will be required to undertake a public value test. The test will involve a market impact assessment carried out by Ofcom.

Capita Group

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much business her Department has placed with (a) Capita Group plc and (b) its subsidiaries in each of the last five years; what the total value is of outstanding contracts placed with Capita Group plc and its subsidiaries by her Department; for which current tenders issued by her Department (i) Capita Group plc and (ii) its subsidiaries have been invited to bid; and whether (A) Capita Group plc and (B) its subsidiaries have seconded staff (1) temporarily and (2) on a longer-term basis to (X) her Department and (Y) its agencies.

David Lammy: The information requested could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Capita Group

James Brokenshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the value of contracts held by her Department with (a) Capita plc and (b) its subsidiaries was in the last three financial years.

David Lammy: The details regarding DCMS are as follows;
	(a) DCMS has had no contracts with Capita plc in the last three financial years.
	(b) DCMS has a contract for healthcare services with Capita Health Solutions following acquisition of BMI Health Services.

Departmental Leave (Stress)

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many people have been on sick leave suffering from stress in her Department in each of the last three years; and what percentage of the total staff number this represents.

David Lammy: The number of employees who have been on sick leave suffering from stress in each of the last three years is as follows:
	
		
			  Number of employees Percentage of total staff 
		
		
			 200304 6 1 
			 200405 (277) (277) 
			 200506 (277) (277) 
		
	
	(277) In cases where there have been less than five people absent due to stress in any one year this information is suppressed on grounds of confidentiality
	DCMS has a legal obligation to provide a safe working environment for all employees and guidance is available for staff and managers on how to manage stress effectively.
	As part of our attendance, health and welfare programme for staff we have a range of policies in place to reduce work related stress. These include:
	stress management policy;
	sickness absence policy, which includes guidance on making reasonable adjustments;
	full range of flexible work patterns to support work-life balance;
	dedicated stress management channel on DCMS Intranet;
	health awareness pages on Intranet;
	access to welfare services, onsite gym and yoga classes.

Eastway Cycling Circuit

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what factors underlay her Department's decision to close the Eastway cycling circuit in September 2006 in preparation for the 2012 Olympics.

Richard Caborn: The London Development Agency (LDA) is responsible for assembling the land for the Olympic park.
	Eastway cycle circuit falls within the footprint of the Olympic park and will therefore need to be closed to make way for the construction of the site. I have been informed by my colleagues at the LDA that the decision was taken to close the facility in September 2006 to enable the necessary preparation work to take place ahead of construction works. The site is required at the earliest opportunity due to the presence of contamination and the significant amount of earth works required.
	I understand that the LDA is currently working with stakeholders such as British Cycling to secure an alternative facility for the period during which Eastway is unavailable to users.

Funding (Museums etc)

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what funding her Department has made available for (a) museums, (b) libraries and (c) archive development in each of the last five years.

David Lammy: The information is in the following table.
	
		DCMS funding for museums, libraries and archive development 200102 to 200506
		
			  million 
			 Museums 200102 200203 200304 200405 200506 
		
		
			 Total grant in aid to DCMS sponsored museums and galleries(278) 244.1 268.1 280.8 287.3 299.4 
			 Museums Libraries and Archives Council support for regional museums 16.5 16.7 22.1 30.3 40.1 
			 DCMS/Wolfson Foundation Museums and Galleries Improvement fund(279) 1.0 1.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 
			   
			 Libraries  
			 Grant in aid to the British Library 86.2 85.1 (280)87.6 90.1 97.6 
			 Museums Libraries and Archives Council support for local libraries 6.6 7.4 6.5 9.7 8.6 
			 Private Finance Initiative credits for local authorities(281) 13.0 31.8 21.1 16.5 63.0 
			   
			 Archive Development5  
			 Museums Libraries and Archives Council support for archive development 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 
		
	
	(278) Comprises grant-in-aid to the 22 sponsored museums and the DCMS contribution to the Strategic Commissioning programme run jointly with DfES. The 200405 figure includes 1.3 million DCMS reform pot funding.
	(279) Figures quoted are DCMS contribution only. This is matched by an equivalent sum from the Wolfson Foundation.
	(280) Includes 1.5 million DCMS reform pot funding.
	(281) Figures show the amount of private finance initiative credits allocated to local authority libraries projects based on a competitive bidding process.
	(282) Excludes regional film archives and any funding for archives held by museums or other cultural bodies.

Grievance Procedures

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many grievance procedures have been initiated in her Department in each of the last three years.

David Lammy: The number of times the grievance procedure has been initiated in the last three years are so small that they cannot be provided on grounds of confidentiality. 1
	All staff are provided with a personal copy of a leaflet entitled Putting Things Right which gives a quick guide to the informal and formal processes and support this Department has in place for anyone who has a problem or complaint in the workplace which they wish to be addressed.
	1 Where there have been less than five cases in any one year this information is suppressed on grounds of confidentiality.

Harassment Complaints

David Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many complaints of (a) bullying and (b) sexual harassment have been investigated in her Department in each of the last three years; and how many complaints have been upheld.

David Lammy: There have been less than five cases of sexual harassment and bullying in DCMS in the past 3 years. As this is the case, further information is suppressed on grounds of confidentially.

Orchestras (National Insurance)

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what recent representations she has received from orchestras on national insurance contributions; and if she will make a statement.

David Lammy: Arts Council England is facilitating discussions between representatives of the music sector and Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs to clarify the circumstances in which Class 1 national insurance contributions are payable for freelance musicians. I understand that good progress is being made. We will continue to monitor the situation.

Regional Casinos

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport pursuant to the answer of 17 March 2006, Official Report, columns 25201W, on gambling, if she will publish the work done by her Department on the social cost of regional casinos referred to by the Minister of State on 1 March 2006, Official Report, column 100WH.

Richard Caborn: Exchanges during the Westminster Hall Adjournment debate on 1 March 2006, Official Report, column100WH referred to a report published by Hall Aitken in February 2006. The estimate of the possible social cost of regional casinos contained in the Hall Aitken report was based on the February 2004 Henley Centre report Economics and Social Impact Study of the Proposed Gambling Bill which had been commissioned by the British Amusement Catering Trade Association. The Hall Aitken report took no account of any alternative views to the Henley report, including a review of Henley report commissioned by DCMS, which was published on the Department's website in July 2005.
	I set out the research to which we are committed into the impact of the introduction of the new categories of casino permitted by the Act in my previous answer of 17 March 2006, Official Report, columns 25201W.

Regional Casinos

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of the impact on the number of regional casinos of the new measures on casino taxation announced in the Budget.

Richard Caborn: The number of new casinos that will be permitted under the Gambling Act 2005 is set out in section 175 of that Act. The Act makes provision for one regional, eight large and eight small casinos.
	Taxation is a matter for the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Regional Casinos

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the tendering process will be for regional casinos.

Richard Caborn: The process for the consideration of application for casino premises licences, including the one regional casino premises licence, is set out in Schedule 9 to the Gambling Act 2005.
	If the licensing authority (or licensing board in Scotland) receives more than one application for the regional casino premises licence, it will conduct a two stage process.
	The licensing authority shall first consider in respect of each application whether they would grant it, if there were no limit on the number of regional casino premises licences.
	If more than one application passes this initial stage, the licensing authority is required to determine which of those applications to grant on the basis of which, if successful, would be likely to result in the greatest benefit to the authority's area.
	In making these determinations, the licensing authority will be required to comply with a code of practice which will be issued by the Secretary of State in due course.

Sporting Events

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions she has had with the organisers of the (a) Melbourne Commonwealth games and (b) Sydney Olympics on the hosting of major sporting events; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: Both my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and I visited the recent Commonwealth Games in Melbourne and met Ministers responsible for the games. I also met Ron Walker, Chair of Melbourne 2006, and other Melbourne 2006 officials.
	During London's bid for the 2012 Olympic games and Paralympic games, we took advice from a number of previous Olympic host cities, including people involved in the Sydney games.

Television Licence (Exemption)

David Winnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what the total cost of the television licence exemption for those aged 75 years and over has been since the scheme was established;
	(2)  what the total cost of the exemption from the television licence fee for the 75-year-olds and over in the Walsall borough (a) was in 2005 and (b) has been since the scheme was established

James Purnell: Neither Television Licensing, who administer the television licensing system as agents of the BBC, nor the Department for Work and Pensions, who have responsibility for funding the free television licence scheme, are able to provide geographical breakdowns of the amount spent on free television licences. However, the total cost of funding free television licences for those aged 75 and over for the financial years 200001 to 200405 inclusive was 1,895 million. The estimated outturn for the year 200506 is 459 million.

Wembley Stadium

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what assessment she has made of reports that the construction company Multiplex has had to lay-off sub-contractors building the new Wembley Stadium; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: Issues relating to the employment of sub-contractors on the Wembley Stadium construction site are matters for Multiplex.

World Cup (Complimentary Tickets)

Greg Hands: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many complimentary tickets her Department has received for games taking place at the FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany.

Richard Caborn: The Department for Culture, Media and Sport has not received any complimentary tickets for World Cup matches taking place in Germany this summer.
	It is likely that a number of DCMS Ministers will attend matches and may be accompanied by officials. However, no decisions about Ministerial attendance have been made at this time.